Ukraine has the capability to address nine technological needs of the European Union, which currently relies on American and Chinese solutions. This is supported by findings from the EU-Ukraine Digital Sector Interlinkages Report, prepared by a consortium of Ukrainian and European IT experts under the ITBridge project.
The EU is investing billions through the European Chips Act to reduce its dependence on the US and China by supporting its own production and innovation. While most initiatives have a long-term perspective, Ukraine can meet some needs immediately.
The study formed an expert group of 33 specialists from 31 organizations, identifying two critical technology groups: the first includes Big Data, Cloud, Cybersecurity, and IoT, while the second consists of Web Applications, AI, 5G, and Robotics, crucial for economic competitiveness.
According to ITBridge, Ukraine can partner with the EU in nine of these areas, including Big Data, Cybersecurity, and Cloud.
The research notes that Ukraine is already positioned to offer significant contributions: in 2024, IT service exports reached $6.8 billion, accounting for 37.7% of total service exports. With 328,000 technical specialists and over 20,000 graduates entering the field annually, the Ukrainian market is prepared for collaboration.
Projects like “Diia.City” host residents from companies such as Samsung, Visa, and Nokia, demonstrating the confidence of global players in Ukraine’s regulatory environment. Additionally, 93% of companies operate in international markets, reducing the need for training partners.
The study outlines tools for entering the EU market, including access to the Single Market Programme, Horizon Europe, and the Digital Europe Programme, which provide opportunities for funding innovations.
Other possibilities include the Enterprise Europe Network, which helps find international partners, and the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs.
Clusters also have access to the European Cluster Collaboration Platform for partner finding and the EU-Ukraine Cluster Partnership Programme for project financing.
In conclusion, collaboration with Ukraine should be based on partnership rather than outsourcing, enabling joint innovations and long-term cooperation.
