What led to the creation of the hub?

The regions covered by the hub have strong economic and human potential. However, the war, the forced relocation of enterprises, and the shortage of resources have created an urgent need for rapid, practical solutions to support development. Eastern Ukraine EDIH was established in response to the needs of local businesses and communities:

• How to assess their digital maturity?

• Which technologies should be implemented first?

• How to prepare their teams?

• Where to find trusted solution providers?

• How to secure funding or digitalisation support?

The hub provides support that allows clients to go through this journey not alone, but with professional guidance tailored to their specific context.

The Eastern Ukraine EDIH team

The hub’s team brings together representatives of the IT business, the academic community of Kharkiv, and local authorities. The project consortium includes:

• Kharkiv IT Cluster — Implementation Coordinator of Eastern Ukraine EDIH

• Ukrainian Scientific and Technical Centre of Ukraine

• National Aerospace University “KhAI”

• Kharkiv National University of Radioelectronics (KhNURE)

• Kharkiv Reform Office (Municipal Institution)

• Cyber Action Platform

This synergy enables the hub not only to provide technological services but also to support strategic business development, train teams, attract funding, and assist in shaping local digital policies.

How does the hub work with clients?

The collaboration always begins with dialogue. The Eastern Ukraine EDIH team helps clients formulate their request, conduct an initial digital assessment, and develop an action plan. The hub provides comprehensive support for digital transformation, including:

• analysis of the current digital situation and preparation of an individual action plan;
• technical consulting on existing or planned IT solutions;
• testing prototypes and validating ideas before investment;
• support in preparing grant applications and finding funding opportunities;
• participation in investment events and networking with potential donors;
• training courses for teams in AI, cybersecurity, AR/VR, and other areas;
• sector-specific training programs, workshops, and demo days;
• networking with providers of digital solutions and services;
• participation in industry events, round tables, and brokerage meetings.

The technologies covered by Eastern Ukraine EDIH include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, robotics, digital twins, AR/VR, CRM, ERP, and more.

The hub’s services are available to SMEs (up to 250 employees), mid-caps (up to 500 employees), communities, local authorities, public institutions, and NGOs.

Priority industries for collaboration include agriculture, manufacturing, energy, Smart City solutions, and community digital transformation, as well as other sectors such as services, HoReCa, logistics, retail and others.

Eastern Ukraine EDIH Office in Kharkiv

In July 2025, Eastern Ukraine EDIH opened a physical office in Kharkiv — based at the Sustainable Business Platform, launched with the support of the Government of Japan and UNDP in Ukraine. This means clients can now visit the hub in person and access services on-site.

The space has become the city’s first centre of its kind, combining access to digital expertise, hands-on support, and live networking. The hub already hosts events, training sessions, and meetings dedicated to digital transformation in the region.

How to access the hub’s services?

To access the services of Eastern Ukraine EDIH, simply contact the team through the official website or fill out a short form. Current events, opportunities, and updates can be found on the hub’s social media channels:

• Facebook

• LinkedIn