The Ukraine Rebuilding Task Force (URTF), a programme spearheaded by Estonia’s Visionest Institute, not only trained over 200 Ukrainian SMEs to internationalise their projects but also fostered regional collaboration by creating five professional teams.
Each team, representing a distinct region of Ukraine, tackled a specific reconstruction challenge and during several months worked within Visionest’s framework under the guidance of international mentors from Germany, Estonia and Poland to developed a comprehensive plan to address it.
Funded by the US Department of State, Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), and implemented in partnership with Ukraine’s Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office, the URTF programme empowered these teams to create innovative solutions for rebuilding the nation.
As a result of this focused work, five actionable regional plans have been created, ready for international development. Culminating in a graduation ceremony held in Kyiv on June 26, 2024, the programme provided a platform for all five teams to present their innovative solutions to a public audience for the first time. This event aimed to generate interest from potential foreign investors eager to contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
A look at the regional teams
- East: Digital Hub for Ukraine’s Recovery: This team proposes a centralised platform, the DIGITAL RECOVERY HUB OF UKRAINE, to streamline information sharing, facilitate collaboration, and improve the efficiency of the entire reconstruction process. Link to the presentation – East
- South: Civil Center for Rural Communities: Aiming to revitalise rural areas, this team envisions transforming old Soviet-era cultural centres into modern and safe multifunctional community hubs offering essential services like education programmes, coworking and cultural events, business development support, and recreational activities. Link to the presentation – South
- Kyiv: Ukraine Infrastructure Investments: This team created a groundbreaking online portal connecting project initiators with potential investors. “Ukraine Infrastructure Investments” goes beyond just showcasing projects; it offers investors a comprehensive suite of additional services, encompassing key sectors like social, industrial, ESG, and logistics infrastructure. Link to the presentation – Kyiv.
- West: Transcarpathian Business and Investment Facilitation Center: This model focuses on propelling economic development in the Transcarpathian region by attracting investment, improving businesses, and specialising clusters, leveraging the region’s strategic location bordering four EU countries. Link to the presentation – West.
- Central: Innovative Modular Waste Processing Complex: Tackling a critical issue, this team proposes a revolutionary solution – a modular waste recycling plant. Unlike conventional plants, this design allows for adaptation to diverse needs and raw materials in different communities, fostering sustainable waste management practices. Their project not only aspires to revolutionise waste treatment practices but also seeks to contribute to the global discourse on sustainable solutions for developing regions facing similar challenges. Link to the presentation – Center.
Alexander, a member of the East Regional Team, highlighted the programme’s impact: “The URTF equipped us with invaluable knowledge and experience in international business practices, along with a vast network of new contacts. The concept of regional collaboration proved to be highly effective, facilitating teamwork among experts with diverse backgrounds to tackle shared challenges.”
The project presentations showcased the ingenuity and dedication of these regional teams, highlighting their potential to drive positive change in Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. With their innovative solutions now public, these teams are actively seeking partnerships and investments to bring their visions to life.
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