Report on Ukraine’s Digital Transformation Initiatives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

On August 26, the government of Ukraine announced six new digital projects to be integrated into the Diia application. These initiatives are designed to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of government services, directly contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering innovation, strengthening institutions, and reducing inequalities.

Project Overview and SDG Impact

1. AI Assistant

   Ukraine is introducing a national AI assistant to provide consultations and process requests for public services. The initial function will be issuing income certificates.

   • SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): This project represents a significant advancement in public service infrastructure, leveraging innovative AI technology to improve citizen-state interactions.
   • SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): By simplifying access to services and reducing wait times, the AI assistant helps build more effective, accountable, and transparent institutions.

2. e-Notariat

   This service facilitates fully remote notary services, allowing users to securely complete notarial procedures online.

   • SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): The e-Notariat enhances access to justice and legal services, making them more convenient and reducing costs for citizens, thereby strengthening institutional frameworks.
   • SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By streamlining legal transactions, this service supports economic activity for both individuals and businesses.

3. e-Excise

   The government will replace paper excise stamps with electronic codes to track alcohol and tobacco products, aiming to reduce tax losses from illicit trade.

   • SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): This initiative directly combats corruption and illicit financial flows by creating a transparent and traceable system, strengthening the state’s fiscal capacity.
   • SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By securing tax revenue, the e-Excise system contributes to a more stable national economy and supports public financing for development.

4. Path for the Wounded

   A dedicated online platform will provide veterans, active military personnel, and their families with simplified access to benefits and services.

   • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The platform is designed to ensure that a vulnerable and deserving group receives timely and efficient support, reducing bureaucratic barriers and inequality in access.
   • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): By streamlining access to financial aid and social services, the initiative supports the overall well-being of service members and their families.

5. Basic Social Assistance

   This project unifies all social benefits into a single online application, enabling users to apply for multiple programs simultaneously through the Diia app.

   • SDG 1 (No Poverty): This reform is critical for implementing nationally appropriate social protection systems, ensuring that financial assistance reaches vulnerable populations more quickly and efficiently.
   • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By simplifying complex application processes, this service ensures that social support is accessible to all who need it, reducing systemic inequalities.

6. Criminal Record Certificate with Apostille

   The process for obtaining an internationally recognized criminal record certificate will be moved online, including ordering and delivery.

   • SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): This service facilitates labor mobility and access to international employment and business opportunities, removing a significant administrative obstacle.
   • SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Modernizing this essential administrative service demonstrates a commitment to building effective and responsive public institutions.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article focuses heavily on transforming government services to be more efficient, transparent, and accessible. Initiatives like the AI assistant, e-Notariat, and e-Excise are designed to reduce bureaucracy, combat corruption (tax evasion), and build more effective and accountable public institutions, which is the core of SDG 16.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The entire Diia app and its new features represent a significant investment in digital infrastructure. The article describes leveraging technology and innovation (like AI and electronic codes) to upgrade public services, which aligns with SDG 9’s goal of building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The “Basic Social Assistance” and “Path for the Wounded” projects are directly aimed at improving social protection systems. By unifying social benefits into a single online application and simplifying access for veterans and their families, these initiatives work towards ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the support they need, which is a key aspect of SDG 1.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  By making essential services available online, the government is reducing geographical and bureaucratic barriers. Services like the “Criminal Record Certificate,” previously only available in Kyiv, and the “Path for the Wounded” ensure that people across the country, including vulnerable groups like veterans, have more equitable access to government support and documentation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms. The “e-Excise” system, which replaces paper stamps with secure electronic codes to track alcohol and tobacco, directly addresses this target by aiming to prevent forgery and tackle tax losses.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. All the described projects, from the AI assistant to e-Notariat, contribute to this target by making government services more efficient (“save time”), less bureaucratic, and more transparent for citizens.

2. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all. The “Basic Social Assistance” project, which creates a single online application for all social benefits, and the “Path for the Wounded” platform for veterans are direct implementations of this target, aiming to streamline and expand the coverage of social support.

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. The Diia app is a form of digital infrastructure being developed to provide equitable access to government services for all citizens, as highlighted by the expansion of services that were previously geographically restricted.

4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all. The digital services aim to eliminate barriers to access. For example, making the “Criminal Record Certificate” available online and by delivery removes the need to travel to Kyiv, promoting inclusion for those living elsewhere. The “Path for the Wounded” specifically targets a vulnerable group to ensure their inclusion in social support systems.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 16.5 (Reduce corruption):

   • Indicator: Reduction in tax losses from alcohol and tobacco sales. The article explicitly states the goal of “e-Excise” is to “tackle tax losses.” Progress can be measured by tracking excise tax revenue before and after the system’s full implementation in 2026.

2. For Target 16.6 (Effective institutions):

   • Indicator: Reduction in time and bureaucracy for accessing public services. The article states the innovations aim to “save time, reduce bureaucracy, and reduce waiting times.” This can be measured through user surveys on time saved or by comparing processing times for digital versus traditional services.
   • Indicator: Number of public services available digitally. The announcement of six new projects is a direct measure of the expansion of digital public services.

3. For Target 1.3 (Social protection):

   • Indicator: Processing time for social benefit applications. The “Basic Social Assistance” project aims to “speed up approvals,” implying that the average time taken to approve and deliver benefits can be used as a metric.
   • Indicator: Number of citizens using the unified social assistance platform. The article mentions the goal is to “streamline support for millions of citizens,” so user uptake would be a key indicator of success.

4. For Target 10.2 (Inclusion):

   • Indicator: Geographic distribution of users for formerly centralized services. For the “Criminal Record Certificate,” an indicator of increased inclusion would be the proportion of applications coming from outside Kyiv, compared to when it was an in-person service.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: united24media.com