ITBridge: Presentation of the EU–Ukraine Digital Sector Interlinkages Report

On December 2, within the framework of Tech Unity: Cluster Forum, the International Hybrid Workshop to Present the EU-Ukraine Digital Sector Interlinkages Report took place, bringing together key stakeholders from the digital sectors of Ukraine and the European Union.

The event became an important milestone of the ITBridge project, aimed not only at presenting the research findings but also at building practical connections between the Ukrainian and EU digital markets.

The hybrid format, combining online and offline participation, enabled broad engagement of experts, cluster representatives, businesses, and policymakers from different countries.

Focus on Research Findings and Their Practical Application

At the core of the discussion were the results of the EU-Ukraine Digital Sector Interlinkages Report — the first comprehensive study mapping EU critical technological needs against the actual capabilities of Ukraine’s IT sector.

A key insight repeatedly highlighted during the workshop was that Ukraine is no longer just an outsourcing destination, but a strategic partner for the EU in achieving digital sovereignty.

In particular, the report demonstrates that:

• Ukraine can act as a partner to the EU in 9 out of 14 critical technology areas, including AI, Big Data, cybersecurity, cloud, and IoT
• a so-called “golden triangle of opportunities” has emerged — at the intersection of EU demand, Ukrainian capabilities, and mutual innovation interest
• the Ukrainian IT sector is mature and globally integrated: 93% of companies operate in international markets, significantly lowering barriers to cooperation

Special attention was also given to Ukraine’s unique expertise in cybersecurity and resilience — particularly its experience in countering large-scale cyber threats, which is becoming a strong competitive advantage for European partnerships.

From Research to Action

A key message of the event was that the report is not just an analytical document, but a practical tool for decision-making.

Within the ITBridge project, the team is:

• actively presenting the report findings at major Ukrainian and EU events
• engaging policymakers and institutions to support digital policy alignment
• fostering new partnerships between businesses and clusters

The European Union has already opened multiple cooperation opportunities — from the Single Market Programme to Horizon Europe and Digital Europe — creating real, actionable pathways for Ukrainian companies to integrate into the EU ecosystem.

Expert Speakers

The workshop featured insights from international experts:

• Martine Diss, Senior Expert, DG GROW, European Commission
• Andrei Martiniuc, Manager of the European Projects Department, Transilvania IT Cluster
• Yeimy Ospina, Head of European & Innovation Projects, Cluster Digital of Catalonia
• Olga Shapoval, Executive Director, Kharkiv IT Cluster
• Nataliia Chornogub, Director at YouControl World, Head of GR Department at YouControl, Head of NGO “Open Data Association”

Speakers emphasized a shift in cooperation models — from service-based outsourcing to co-creation of products, innovations, and technological solutions.

A New Role for Ukraine in Digital Europe

One of the key insights of the workshop is that the future of EU–Ukraine cooperation lies in co-development partnerships, rather than traditional outsourcing.

This includes:

• joint investments in innovation
• integration into European value chains
• development of Industry 4.0 solutions in manufacturing, agriculture, and energy

Such an approach not only strengthens economic ties but also contributes to Europe’s overall technological resilience and independence.

Explore the Materials

Event photos

Workshop recording

Full report

Organizers & Partners:

We would like to thank YC.Market for providing reliable and transparent data that contributed to the research.

The report is created by Kharkiv IT Cluster, Transilvania IT Cluster (Romania), Cluster Digital de Catalunya (Spain), Dnipro IT Community, and Odesa IT Family as part of the ITBridge project — a strategic initiative to strengthen cooperation between the European Union and Ukraine in the digital sector.

The ITBridge project is funded by the European Union through the Single Market Programme under the grant agreement №101196018. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.