During the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 (URC 2026), a leading international platform for Ukraine’s recovery held this year in Gdańsk, the global technology company Mastercard and the International Charitable Organization East Europe Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement establishes a foundation for long-term cooperation to advance Ukraine’s digital transformation and enhance e-governance.

By bringing together East Europe Foundation’s experience in governance and digital services with Mastercard’s global expertise in payments and technology, we aim to make public services more accessible, secure, and tailored to the needs of people and businesses.

The Memorandum outlines three key areas where we will work together:

• Aligning our priorities for the digital transformation of public services, including the development of digital platforms, service models focused on people’s needs, and solutions based on data;
• Implementing digital and cashless solutions in transportation and mobility, with a focus on transparency, reducing the shadow economy, and increasing efficiency;
• Developing the digital economy by supporting electronic payments, improving fiscal transparency, and modernizing payment processes in the public sector.

This Memorandum builds on a partnership that is already yielding tangible results. Together with Mastercard, East Europe Foundation is involved in several projects that connect GovTech and FinTech for the benefit of Ukraine:

• Digital Maturity of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses. Working with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the national project Diia.Business, we have introduced a digital maturity framework for SMEs. This set of free tools, including the White Paper, Digital Maturity Matrix, and Digital Maturity Compass, helps entrepreneurs understand their digital development and receive a personalized plan for future growth.
• Transport Data Hub. Together with our partners, we are also helping to build a more transparent and efficient transportation sector. By supporting the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine, we are developing the Transport Data Hub, a national platform that brings together transportation and logistics data. This platform empowers government, communities, and businesses to make informed decisions based on reliable analytics and brings greater transparency to the transportation sector.
• GovTech Lab Ukraine. As part of Ukraine’s first open innovation program, led by the Global Government Technology Centre Kyiv (GGTC), Mastercard is supporting the development of GovTech solutions. This includes building a transparent, data-driven tourism management system using information from the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine.

Mastercard and East Europe Foundation will continue to work together in these areas and launch new initiatives where the synergy of our efforts can bring real benefits and meet Ukraine’s most pressing needs.

“For over a decade, East Europe Foundation has been dedicated to making public services open, transparent, and easy to use for everyone. Our partnership with Mastercard brings together our experience in improving governance and their global knowledge in digital payments. By joining forces, we help citizens and businesses across Ukraine access modern services, even when facing difficult times,” said Victor Liakh, President of East Europe Foundation.

“Supporting Ukraine’s digital transformation is a strategic priority for Mastercard. The Memorandum of Understanding with East Europe Foundation formalizes our shared ambition to build solutions at the intersection of GovTech and FinTech, making services for citizens and businesses more transparent, secure, and people-focused. We are already seeing tangible results of this cooperation – from the SME digital maturity program to data-driven transport platform – and we look forward to expanding our partnership further,” said Engin Yasar, Mastercard’s Vice President, Business Development, Public Sector Eastern Europe.