Development of LEAP EDIH as part of a network of European Digital Innovation Hubs

ongoing

The LEAP EDIH project plans to encompass Ukraine's western geographical region with a focus on Lviv, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, Volyn (Lutsk), and Rivne regions, utilizing Lviv as a focal point of Ukraine's technological sector. Local SMEs face challenges, including physical and cyber-security issues, a decreasing workforce, restrictions in funding for business development, and uncertainty. These main challenges lead to the next level of limitations: limited access to testing opportunities, a shortage of skilled specialists, the need to improve competitiveness, and the need for a sufficient number of paying customers. EDIH aims to promote the broader use of IT, IoT, AI, and other digital tools and services, improving SMEs and public sector technological maturity, supporting new financing opportunities and raising investments, supporting workforce skills development, and increasing cybersecurity resistance. The project selected region-specific industries in creative economy (including IT, design, consultancy), bioeconomics ( food production, organic agriculture, bioenergy, biotechnologies), healthcare, tourism, and recreation as priority industries. The LEAP EDIH is based on the capacity of Lviv IT Cluster, Ukraine's biggest association of technology companies with 11 years of experience. It unites 300+ Ukrainian tech companies, leading Lviv universities and educational institutions, and the Lviv City state administration. LEAP EDIH structure is empowered by the Lviv IT Cluster’s long-time partner, ITEP LLC, an expert in providing expert consultancy services on legal, investments, and other aspects of business development. The portfolio of LEAP EDIH’s comprehensive tools and services has a holistic approach that is suitable for improving business development, competitiveness, attracting investments, education, workforce development, and technological maturity of companies in the prioritized sectors and the public sector.