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DEUCE: empowering Ukrainians in Estonia
The DEUCE project strengthened the Ukrainian community in Estonia by building digital skills, promoting social resilience, and expanding opportunities. It set out to support 1,000 digitally vulnerable Ukrainians by connecting them with 60 young, tech-savvy peers, with outreach potential to 10,000 people in two years.
By its closure, DEUCE had enabled Ukrainians in Estonia to use Estonian and Ukrainian digital services, address practical needs, and foster community connections.
- In its first year, 31 young Ukrainians became digital envoys, forming four teams that helped directly 426 vulnerable Ukrainians and reached over 45,800 people.
- In its second year, another 31 envoys were recruited and formed six teams, though they could not begin outreach before the project ended.
- Together, digital envoys and eGA reached approximately 310,000 people through media and social channels.
The DEUCE project was closed as of March 2025 following the termination of its U.S. grant due to the United States’ decision to reevaluate and realign United States foreign aid.
Community-led digital change
The project’s vision was to improve the quality of life by helping Ukrainians build confidence in using digital solutions. Its three core objectives were:
- Ukrainian students and digitally vulnerable refugees build a stronger and more supportive community.
- The Ukrainian digital envoys feel a sense of achievement by addressing their digital literacy needs and helping others.
- A significant number of Ukrainian citizens living in Estonia are aware of the digital transformation in Estonia and Ukraine.
Four successful mini-projects included:
- Tartu Help Bot: a Telegram chatbot answering refugee-related questions
- Scam Map: a visual guide to protect Ukrainians from fraud
- Professional Empowerment: workshops to build job market skills
- Easy Stuudium: guidance for parents and children on navigating education tools
Participants valued networking, skill development, practical projects, and a supportive environment. Many envoys described the experience as personally and professionally rewarding.
The objectives were achieved through a strategic training program using the service design method and containing masterclasses, webinars, meetings, empowerment events, mentorship, and awareness-raising events. Public presentations helped raise awareness on a broader scale about the bottlenecks Ukrainians living in Estonia face and how the project has affected their lives. The process and results were assessed using a solid Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework.
Based on the feedback from the first 22 digital envoys, they valued:
- networking with like-minded individuals, professionals, and other Ukrainians in Estonia, which enriched their personal and professional connections;
- skill development, particularly in areas like project design, service design, and digital services, were found beneficial for their personal growth and future projects;
- hands-on experience working on real mini projects, particularly the opportunity to implement their ideas and see tangible results;
- learning and personal growth, providing insights into digital opportunities, project management, and understanding the needs of Ukrainians living abroad;
- collaborative environment, where teamwork, mutual support, and regular communication were highlighted as key factors in their success;
- eGA’s effort to create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere where participants felt comfortable reaching out for help and advice from mentors and organisers.
I have gained so much from this experience—new skills, new friends, and a new perspective,” says one digital envoy, echoing the sentiment of many. Another participant highlights the fulfilment of helping others: “Connecting with other Ukrainians in Estonia and being able to assist the community has been incredibly rewarding.”
The DEUCE project was a testament to the power of community and the belief that everyone deserves the tools to succeed. As Estonia continues to lead the way in digital innovation, projects like this ensure that no one is left behind.
Impact
- Empowered young Ukrainians as digital inclusion champions
- Supported initiatives like Easy Stuudium and Professional Empowerment, which continued through partnerships
- Strengthened digital skills and awareness in the Ukrainian community
Lessons learned
- Sustained engagement requires team-building, leadership, and flexible formats
- Regular mentoring and realistic expectations help participants succeed
- Adaptive learning keeps participation meaningful and lasting
Legacy
- Ukrainian youth gained skills and resilience
- Project materials were shared with other organisations
- Digital envoys evolved into trainers and advisors
- Combining the service design method and community-based model has strong potential for scaling and replication
e-Governance Conference Partner Interview – DEUCE
Media
“ETV+ “Coffee+” Interview: Recruiting New Digital Envoys
ETV+ “Horizont”, overview of the project
“e-Governance Conference Partner Interview – DEUCE.” Confent, May 29, 2024.