February 22, 2024
Written by Christopher Carey
Ukraine’s capital Kyiv is collaborating with Bloomberg Philanthropies to accelerate the digitalization of public services with a focus on mental health provision.
As Ukraine’s civil war enters its third year, Bloomberg Philanthropies will provide $4 million to digital projects to help the city strengthen service delivery and address residents’ mental health needs.
According to a city council survey, more than 80 percent of Kiev’s adult residents reported symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder, and the majority said the war had a significant impact on their mental health.
“Imagine a city where digital access is a right, not a privilege. A city where every press of a key brings us closer and every click takes us a step toward mutual understanding and support. This is who we are. is the goal of Kyiv,” said Oleg Polovinko, advisor to the mayor of Kyiv on digitalization.
“With support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and its Government Innovation Program, we will be able to further accelerate these efforts.”
Bloomberg said this funding will increase the capacity and technical capacity of city staff to build, diversify and expand online services, including new mental health programs for people affected by ongoing conflict. states that it will improve.
The new innovation team brings expertise in UX development and IT delivery, rapid prototyping, data and analytics, product and human-centered design, systems thinking, project management and implementation.
“Digitalization makes governments more accessible in the best of times and more resilient in the most difficult times,” said James Anderson, head of the government innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies.
“The city of Kyiv skillfully implemented digital services to maintain continuity of communications and services for its residents during the war.
“Bloomberg Philanthropies is proud to deepen and accelerate our digital efforts, which not only improve local lives but also serve as a beacon for cities facing crisis elsewhere. It also functions as
The new mental health service is slated to launch in December 2024, with consulting firm Public Digital assisting Bloomberg Philanthropy and the city.
Kyiv digital
Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kiev has been transforming its digital infrastructure.
Within 24 hours of the invasion, the city’s Kiev Digital App (originally designed to buy traffic tickets and pay for parking and utilities) quickly became a life-saving tool that alerted residents to possible air raids. adapted. Map the locations of air raid shelters, medical supplies, and operational gas stations. Share information on how to support the military.
The app is currently used by 2.7 million residents, 83 percent of Kyiv’s population, and offers 25 services.
Another digital tool adopted during the war is Diia, a mobile application and web portal that allows Ukrainian citizens to store and share digital documents.
Residents have previously used Diia to access COVID-19 aid and vaccine certification, but after the war, Diia has become increasingly important for refugees seeking assistance abroad.
Image: Eugene Unsplash
