E-Government in Ukraine: Challenges and Opportunities

Summary

In this interview, Valeri Buerkle, Deputy Head of Ukraine's State Agency for Electronic Governance, discusses the country's efforts in digitizing public services. He highlights the progress made since 2008, with a focus on providing online services for citizens, businesses, and government entities. Buerkle shares how Ukraine is adopting a hybrid model, integrating lessons from countries like Estonia and the EU while developing its own strategy. He also addresses challenges such as cybersecurity, the adoption of local software, and the goal to further reduce bureaucracy, ultimately aiming to improve efficiency and citizen engagement in the coming years.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ukraine's e-governance journey started in 2008, and the state agency for electronic governance was officially established in 2014.
• 😀 In September 2017, Ukraine adopted a strategy to transition to e-governance, focusing on building services for citizens online.
• 😀 By 2017, 54% of government services had been digitized, including licenses, subsidies, and land registry services.
• 😀 The primary focus of Ukraine’s e-governance is on government-to-citizen services, followed by services for businesses and government-to-government systems.
• 😀 The country aims to integrate its e-governance system into European Union frameworks to streamline services and interoperability.
• 😀 Services available to citizens include online licenses, transportation-related services, social support, and cadastre services.
• 😀 The e-governance system relies on the 'True Portal,' a central platform for administrative services managed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
• 😀 Ukraine has studied other countries' experiences, particularly Estonia, for inspiration, especially in terms of interoperability systems for data exchange.
• 😀 Estonia's example, including e-tax filing, medical services, and e-voting, has been influential in shaping Ukraine’s digital governance approach.
• 😀 Despite the challenges of a large country, Ukraine has developed a hybrid system, combining the best practices from Estonia, the EU, and the U.S. in its e-governance model.
• 😀 Ukraine has also been developing its own software solutions, such as for accounting, in response to cyber threats and the need for domestic software alternatives.

Q & A

What is the role of the State Agency for Electronic Governance in Ukraine?

The State Agency for Electronic Governance in Ukraine is responsible for overseeing and implementing the country's digital transformation, including the development of e-government services, ensuring the interoperability of government systems, and enhancing citizen access to online public services.

When was Ukraine's State Agency for Electronic Governance created?

The State Agency for Electronic Governance was created in 2014, although Ukraine had been working on digital government initiatives before then, with the agency celebrating its 4th anniversary in October 2018.

What services are available online for Ukrainian citizens?

Since 2017, Ukrainian citizens have access to a variety of online services, including obtaining transportation licenses, social subsidies, cadastral services, and services from the Ministry of Justice. The government has continuously worked on expanding these offerings.

What is the focus of Ukraine's e-governance efforts?

Ukraine's e-governance efforts primarily focus on providing services to citizens, as they are the central element of the government's digital initiatives. Only after ensuring citizen services are efficient, the government moves on to services for businesses and inter-governmental exchanges.

How does Ukraine's e-governance system compare to Estonia's?

Ukraine has studied Estonia's e-governance model, particularly its interoperability system, but has developed its own strategy that fits its larger population and unique needs. While Ukraine has adopted some aspects of Estonia's model, it also combines practices from other countries, including the European Union and the United States.

What is the interoperability system in Ukraine?

The interoperability system in Ukraine, inspired by Estonia's system, allows for the online exchange of information between various government registries and ministries. This system helps facilitate digital public services and reduces the need for citizens to provide physical documents across different offices.

What are some of the challenges Ukraine faces in digitalizing its governance?

One of the main challenges Ukraine faces is the transition from paper-based systems to fully digital services. There are also concerns about trust in e-government systems and the readiness of citizens to adopt them, though these issues are gradually being addressed.

How does Ukraine plan to improve its e-governance in the future?

Ukraine plans to expand its e-governance services by increasing the number of available digital services and improving the interoperability between ministries. It also aims to integrate more fully with European Union systems and to continue learning from international best practices.

How is cybersecurity addressed in Ukraine's e-governance strategy?

Cybersecurity is a priority in Ukraine's e-governance strategy. The country has focused on building strong cybersecurity frameworks and encouraging the development of local software solutions, particularly in response to the cyber threats posed by Russia.

What impact has the digital transformation had on Ukrainian businesses?

Ukrainian businesses now benefit from a range of online services, including e-bidding systems, licensing for transportation companies, and online real estate services. The shift to digital services has made government processes more efficient and accessible for businesses.