How GGTC Kyiv Fuels Ukraine’s Open Innovation Culture

Ukraine’s journey as a digital state is a remarkable case study in turning crisis into opportunity. Faced with multiple challenges, from conflict and full scale Russian invasion to post-socialist legacy of public institutional mistrust, the country reimagines digital governance with a user-first, human-centered and digital-by-default mindset - restoring citizen trust and demonstrating how digital tools can strengthen state resilience. Necessity fueled Ukraine’s digital leap, but the strategic vision, introduced by the Ministry of Digital Transformation in 2019, resulted in an efficient digital governance system and modernised digital public services.

The achievements are more than tangible: by 2024, Ukraine ranked 30th globally in the UN e-Government Development Index (EGDI), climbing 16 positions in just two years. We secured 5th place in the Online Services Index (OSI), a leap from 102nd in 2018, and achieved 1st place in the E-Participation Index, rising 56 spots since 2022.

Despite the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine’s digital reforms accelerated rather than slowed. More public services became available online, new platforms were launched, and digital services were integrated seamlessly into everyday life.

The role of GGTC Kyiv in fostering GovTech and a culture of open innovations

It was against this backdrop of rapid digital advancement and proven capacity for innovation that the Global Government Technology Centre (GGTC) in Kyiv was established in December 2024. Kyiv was selected as the Centre’s second global home in recognition of Ukraine’s remarkable progress in digital service delivery and its international standing in GovTech innovation.

As a part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Network, GGTC Kyiv was established jointly by the World Economic Forum and the Ministry of Digital Transformation with support of Switzerland as a strategic global hub for advancing GovTech, an emerging field at the intersection of government and technology, where the public and private sectors collaborate and use innovations to co-create solutions that can improve the lives of millions - both in Ukraine and beyond.

According to the World Economic Forum and its recent report on the global public impact of GovTech, GovTech could generate up to US$9.8 trillion in public value by 2034 over the next decade, driven by efficiency gains, transparency improvements, and sustainability benefits. As governments worldwide increasingly deploy digital solutions to enhance decision-making, optimize resource use, and reduce environmental impact, Ukraine’s open-innovation initiatives demonstrate how these global principles can be applied in practice, combining digital transformation with citizen-centered, sustainable public service delivery.

GovTech Lab UA: From Global Insights to Ukraine’s Open Innovation Model

Earlier this year, GGTC Kyiv launched GovTech Lab UA, Ukraine’s first open-innovation programme for the public sector. Designed to bridge the gap between government needs and the innovation capacity of the private sector, the Lab represents a new paradigm in human-centered digital governance, where co-creation, collaboration, and evidence-driven solutions are central.

At the core of GovTech Lab UA is a simple principle: innovation begins with real public sector demand. In its inaugural cycle, the Lab has focused on three areas where smarter digital solutions can yield tangible improvements for citizens and public institutions: urban planning, citizen legal advice, and sustainable tourism management. These areas were selected based on five rigorous criteria: policy relevance and alignment with national priorities, technical and market feasibility, strategic fit with GGTC objectives, innovation potential, and the capacity for scalable impact. To ensure legitimacy and broad buy-in, an Advisory Board of government representatives, expert practitioners, and international GovTech expert community reviewed and validated the final priorities.

GovTech Lab UA operates through an open-call model, inviting startups and innovators to respond directly to these public sector challenges. Participants gain access not only to pilot funding of up to €150,000, but also to institutional pathways and direct engagement with government agencies. Through the Innovation Bootcamp, startups collaborate with policymakers, domain experts, and end-users, refining their solutions to meet regulatory, technical, and institutional requirements. The Bootcamp provides mentorship, capacity-building, and guidance on navigating procurement rules and data governance frameworks—barriers that often inhibit adoption in the public sector. The programme culminates in a Demo Day, where teams present refined prototypes, with selected solutions moving forward to fully funded pilots.

Learning from global pioneers

The model draws inspiration from pioneering initiatives abroad. CivTech Scotland has become a benchmark for value-driven public innovation, showing how a 15-week, government-funded accelerator can turn specific public sector challenges into deployable solutions, with clear funding stages and direct adoption by sponsoring agencies. Its structured, outcome-focused approach has helped redefine how governments procure innovation.

Meanwhile, GovTech Lab Lithuania illustrates how a government-led, EU-funded programme can embed experimentation into the daily routines of public institutions. Over nine months, startups and ministries co-develop prototypes with smaller grants, proving that even modest funding—when coupled with open collaboration—can drive a cultural shift in how governments innovate and deliver services.

While inspired by these international examples, GovTech Lab UA is uniquely anchored in Ukraine’s strong digital infrastructure and its proven track record in citizen-centered digital services. Rather than creating isolated pilots, the Lab leverages existing platforms, data, and institutional frameworks to foster a culture of collaboration—ensuring that innovations are both practical and scalable. In doing so, Ukraine is not only addressing domestic challenges but also setting a global model for open innovation in governance.

Looking Ahead: Ukraine as a Living Lab for Innovation

With the launch of WINWIN 2030 - Ukrainian Global Innovation Strategy - GGTC Kyiv is positioned to forge Ukraine’s open-innovation GovTech ecosystem over the next five years. The approach is ambitious, yet grounded in a proven pathwaya: starting from real public sector challenges, co-creating solutions with startups, and piloting them in real conditions before scaling. This ensures that innovation is not just theoretical — it delivers tangible benefits for citizens and institutions alike. As GGTC Kyiv continues to test, learn, and scale solutions across sectors, it is not only transforming the Ukrainian public sector but also shaping the global conversation on how governments can embrace open, human-centered digital transformation.