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The Ministry of Digital Transformation, East Europe Foundation, and the Sumy, Khmelnytskyi and Kherson Regional Military Administrations signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Implementing the International Technical Assistance Program, «E-Governance for Government Accountability and Community Participation (EGAP)».
The trilateral document was signed July 17, in Kyiv at the Embassy of Switzerland.
The Memorandum outlines joint activities aimed at implementing the Swiss-Ukrainian EGAP Program in the regions:
The Ministry of Digital Transformation will provide information and legislative support at the national and regional levels and participate in coordination activities.
«Digital transformation of the regions is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Digital Transformation», said Valeria Ionan, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for European Integration. «We are actively working to create new digital services and services that simplify the lives of citizens. The CDTOs and digital teams in the regions help us quickly implement innovations across the country. Joining the EGAP program in the Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, and Kherson regions will help create a comprehensive plan for community development in these regions. It will also establish transparent and fast interaction between citizens and the state and minimize corruption risks. In addition, I am convinced that the experience of digitalization of communities in the combat zone or de-occupied areas will help in reconstructing Ukraine. I am grateful to our partners for their support».
According to the head of the Swiss Cooperation Program in Ukraine, who participated in signing the Memorandum of Cooperation, the goal of the EGAP regional component is to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural areas in Ukraine.
«Switzerland systematically supports positive changes in Ukraine, despite such difficult times», said Andre Huber, Head of the Swiss Cooperation Program in Ukraine. «It is easier to overcome challenges together. Therefore, it is important for us and our regular partners, the Eastern Europe Foundation, to see qualitative changes not only at the central level, but also on the ground. Reducing the digital divide between urban and rural areas is our global goal. I am confident that today we are taking another step towards achieving it. After all, the more Ukrainian communities join the Program, the more large-scale results will be achieved. And thus, the more Ukrainians will have access to modern digital tools».
On behalf of East Europe Foundation, the Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by President Viсtor Liakh. He emphasized the importance of community leader leadership in implementing digital projects. It is initiative, motivation, ability to implement changes and best practices that are the key criteria for selecting communities to participate in the EGAP Program.
«The EGAP Program has been working with 44 communities for over five years», said Mr. Liakh. «I will be honest – today these hromadas look completely different from the ones at the beginning of our cooperation. We are proud of each and every one of them who took responsibility on the ground, believed in their community and helped implement changes. After signing the Memorandum, we will announce a competition for pilot communities in Sumy, Kherson and Khmelnytskyi regions to work with and implement electronic services. I urge community leaders to participate and implement digital projects with us».
The regional military administrations of the three signatory regions will, take the necessary measures to automate the work of the Administrative Service Centers to introduce e-services and improve the skills of public officials in e-governance. The administrations will also participate in formation of national policy in e-governance and e-democracy and promote best practices in other regions of Ukraine.