DEUCE: Digital Empowerment of the Ukrainian Community in Estonia
The DEUCE project is a capacity building that seeks to uplift the Ukrainian community in Estonia by equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in a digital world. Through strategic training and mentorship, the project aims to help over 1,000 digitally vulnerable Ukrainians personally by connecting them with 60 young, tech-savvy peers from their own community with the potential to raise awareness among 10,000 Ukrainians.
As of June 30, in 8 months since the beginning of the project, we have recruited 31 young Ukrainians in Estonia as digital envoys, 22 of whom remain actively engaged. These envoys have already assisted 400 individuals in making use of digital solutions essential for everyday life in Estonia, such as accessing e-services and managing their legal status. Perhaps even more impressively, their social media outreach efforts have touched the lives of over 10,000 Ukrainians.
If you are a Ukrainian living in Estonia with a passion for technology and volunteering, consider joining the next cohort of digital envoys. Together, we can make a difference. Apply by September 16.
The vision of the DEUCE project is for vulnerable Ukrainian citizens to have an improved quality of life by becoming skilled in using Estonian and Ukrainian e-services and digital solutions.
The project has three main objectives:
- 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.
The objectives will be achieved through strategic training, mentoring, and awareness-raising events. Public presentations help raise awareness on a broader scale about the bottlenecks Ukrainians living in Estonia face and how the project has affected their lives.
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.”
Each team within the DEUCE project has focused on tackling specific challenges. For instance, the Tartu Help Bot team developed a Telegram bot to provide instant answers to common questions about refugee status. The Scam Map project aims to protect the Ukrainian community from fraud by creating a visual guide to help them identify and avoid scams. Meanwhile, the Professional Empowerment initiative offers workshops to build job market readiness, and Easy Stuudium helps parents and children navigate essential educational tools.
The DEUCE project is 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.
e-Governance Conference Partner Interview – DEUCE