Drivers of innovation: how innovation ecosystems are created in Ukraine
15 May 2025 16:35
The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine has developed a concept for creating a national system of agricultural knowledge and innovation (AKIS). The concept was presented today by the head of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy Vitaliy Koval, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to the official, AKIS is a key driver of innovation in the EU agricultural sector, and the ministry is implementing it in Ukraine.
What are the components of the national system of agricultural knowledge and innovation?
According to the concept, the focus is on the farmer. The system will work at his request: from access to up-to-date agricultural information to the introduction of innovations.
It is important to unite farmers, advisors, scientists, teachers, business and public organizations into a single network: everyone who creates and disseminates knowledge will work for a common result.
It is envisaged to create 8 regional AKIS hubs that will work as local centers of access to knowledge, innovation, training and consultations.
Finally, Ukrainian farmers will have access to the European knowledge system and will be able to use the best practices, technologies and experience of EU countries.
Ukrainian universities will become catalysts for innovation
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Innovation Development Fund have announced the creation of a network of startup schools, incubators and accelerators. This network should become a key tool for the development of the national innovation ecosystem.
The startup schools will provide innovators with expert and mentoring support, access to modern infrastructure, tools for raising funds, and practical opportunities for developing business skills.
The State University Kyiv Aviation Institute, Ukrainian Catholic University, Kyiv School of Economics, and 20 other institutions have already joined the network.
Universities and research institutions interested in developing innovation infrastructure can fill out an application form here.
Ukraine even has a position of “responsible for innovation”
Ukraine has become one of the first countries in the world to introduce the position of CDTO (Chief Digital Transformation Officer), i.e., chief digital transformation officer.
As of April 2025, there were 61 CDTOs in the country: 17 in ministries, 29 in central executive bodies, and 15 in regional military administrations.
The government has recently expanded the powers of CDTOs, and now they are responsible not only for digital transformation but also for the development of innovations.
“The approval of the Strategy for Digital Development of Innovations until 2030 has launched a new stage – CDTOs have become not only drivers of digital transformation, but also strategic leaders of innovation,” explained Valeria Ionan, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for European Integration.
CDTOs will coordinate innovation projects, develop the innovation ecosystem in the country, and cooperate with business, research and education to implement new technologies together.
The new CDTO powers will include:
– technological modernization of the defense sector,
– digital medicine, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment,
– alternative energy and energy efficiency,
– agricultural technologies,
– high-tech transportation, aircraft and shipbuilding,
– environmental innovations,
– production of new materials, nanotechnology,
– robotics, IT and AI.
This approach, according to the Ministry of Digital Transformation, will help the state to be flexible, efficient and ready for the challenges of the future.
