When cybersecurity becomes a matter of continuity: eGA launches new project in Dnipropetrovsk region

On 1 June, the e-Governance Academy team arrived in Dnipro for the first coordination meeting of the project Cybersecurity and Digital Services for Dnipropetrovsk Region, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

Just hours later, the city came under another large-scale Russian attack.

During the night, missiles and drones struck residential areas and civilian infrastructure. More than a dozen people were killed. By morning, rescue workers were clearing the rubble while residents faced yet another reminder that for communities in eastern Ukraine, war is not a distant reality — it is part of everyday life.

Located just over 100 kilometres from the frontline, Dnipropetrovsk region is one of Ukraine’s key centres of governance, humanitarian response, public services, and recovery. Its strategic importance makes it indispensable to Ukraine’s resilience — and a frequent target of both physical attacks and cyber operations aimed at disrupting public institutions, digital systems, and essential services.

“The enemy is trying to destroy our infrastructure both physically and in cyberspace. Protecting information systems and ensuring access to digital services for the people of Dnipropetrovsk region is therefore as much a matter of security as the strength of our defence. Cooperation with the e-Governance Academy and our Czech partners will help us take the region’s cyber resilience to a new level,” said Ivan Nachovnyi, Deputy Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalisation (CDTO).

The first coordination meeting provided an opportunity to move from planning to implementation. During the event, the parties signed a Memorandum of Cooperation and agreed on the project’s key priorities for the year ahead, with a focus on strengthening cyber resilience, protecting critical infrastructure, and developing secure digital services.

Particular attention was given to the needs of veterans and their families — one of the region’s largest and most important user groups. Home to hundreds of thousands of veterans, including many people living with disabilities, Dnipropetrovsk region faces growing demand for public services that are not only accessible and user-friendly, but also secure and reliable.

The project responds to these challenges through a combination of strategic advice, capacity building, training, and technical support.

“Our goal is to help local authorities strengthen their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats while ensuring that essential public services remain available to the people who rely on them every day. Through training, practical guidance, and institutional support, we aim to build long-term resilience that will help the region navigate both current and future challenges,” said Yurii Kopytin, Senior Expert at the e-Governance Academy.

Running from March 2026 to April 2027, the €410,000 initiative will support regional and municipal authorities in strengthening cybersecurity governance and preparedness. Civil servants and IT specialists will receive specialised training, while authorities will be supported in developing practical policies, frameworks, and procedures to improve cyber resilience and incident response.

The project will also help strengthen the security and accessibility of digital public services, with particular attention to services used by veterans and their families.

By the end of the project, regional and municipal institutions are expected to be better equipped to protect critical digital infrastructure, respond to cyber threats, and maintain essential public services during times of crisis.

In a region where air raid sirens are part of daily life, resilience is measured not only by the ability to withstand attacks, but by the ability to keep institutions functioning, services available, and communities connected despite them.