UNIDO invites Ukrainian MSMEs to join the digital transformation training programme and regional roundtables

As part of UNIDO’s project “Supporting the reconstruction and development of industrial sectors in Ukraine by fostering digital transformation and the innovation ecosystem”, the initiative will support 300 MSMEs in three priority sectors – agri-food, textile and furniture and wood processing – across central and western Ukraine. Through digital maturity assessments, practical training, expert guidance and pilot implementation activities, participating enterprises will gain practical knowledge and tools to accelerate digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence in production and business processes.  Selected enterprises will receive up to 20 hours of direct implementation support to apply lightweight digital tools in their operations with expert guidance.

Ukrainian MSMEs are invited to attend regional roundtables in their area. The sessions will provide an opportunity to learn about the programme, meet the experts and ask questions before applications close. Regional roundtables will be held in Ivano-Frankivsk on 25 June, Lviv on 26 June and Lutsk on 3 July. Register here: link to register.

Volodymyr Zmiivskyi, Acting Director of the Department for Digital Transformation and Innovation, Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, said: “For many small and medium-sized enterprises, the biggest barrier to digital transformation is not knowing where to start. Through these regional roundtables, companies will learn about the opportunities digitalization can bring to their sector, meet experts who understand the realities of Ukrainian manufacturing and learn how to join UNIDO’s digital training programme. Our goal is to help local businesses take the first practical step towards digitalization.”

Ukrainian MSMEs remain a critical pillar of the national economy, employment and regional development. At the same time, businesses continue to operate under exceptionally challenging conditions, including labour shortages, disrupted supply chains, rising costs and uncertainty caused by the ongoing war.  

Digitalization is increasingly becoming a practical necessity for enterprises seeking to improve productivity, strengthen quality management, optimize resource use and remain competitive in domestic and international markets. The programme focuses on three sectors that combine economic importance, export potential and clear opportunities for digital transformation.

Nikolaus Martys, Industrial Development Expert at UNIDO and the Project Manager, said: “Many MSMEs across the agri-food, textile and furniture and wood processing sectors still rely on manual planning, fragmented production monitoring and limited use of digital technologies. With growing European requirements around sustainability, traceability, product standards and regulatory compliance, this programme creates clear incentives for businesses to modernize and provides them the practical tools to do so.”

The programme will help participating enterprises identify opportunities for digital transformation and begin implementing solutions tailored to their needs. Areas covered include digital production planning, inventory management, traceability systems, quality control, predictive maintenance, energy monitoring and AI applications for manufacturing and processing industries.

Olga Trofymova, Director of LLC Quality Centre, said: “Ukraine’s manufacturing MSMEs have been adapting under conditions that would have stopped many others. This initiative, as a part of a broader UNIDO’s green industrial recovery programme, gives these enterprises access to practical, sector-specific digital knowledge and the support needed to apply it in their operations.” 

The programme aims to equip Ukrainian MSMEs with the tools they need to become more resilient, productive and competitive, while supporting Ukraine’s industrial recovery and gradual integration into European value chains.

Background

The project “Supporting the reconstruction and development of industrial sectors in Ukraine by fostering digital transformation and the innovation ecosystem” is implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) under the Green industrial recovery programme for Ukraine (2024-2028), with the financial support of the Governments of Austria and Bulgaria, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

About LLC Quality Centre

LLC Quality Centre brings 35 years of experience supporting Ukrainian industrial MSMEs through practical expertise in digital transformation and manufacturing development. The organization works with an extensive network of over 35 Ukrainian clusters and industry associations, with deep sector knowledge across agri-food, textile and furniture and wood processing, and a strong track record of delivering donor-funded programmes in cooperation with universities and innovation ecosystems.

For more details:

Olga Trofymova, Director of LLC Quality Centre, i@qcentre.com.ua

Media inquiries:

Maksym Kytsiuk, National Communications Expert, UNIDO, m.kytsiuk@unido.org