Kyiv, 12 August 2025 – A new phase of the project “Libraries Develop Digital Literacy to Strengthen Community Resilience and Recovery” has been launched in Ukraine. Its goal is to make modern digital skills accessible to residents of all regions in Digital Education Hubs operating at libraries across the country.

From August to November 2025, a week-long online training course will be held for Hub coordinators from all regions. The programme includes:

• practical training in digital literacy, working with artificial intelligence tools, and organising learning spaces;
• developing communication skills and planning educational events for the community;
• support for librarians in creating personal professional growth plans;
• access to new educational series and other formats on the Diia.Education platform.

After the training course, coordinators will conduct consultations and digital literacy classes in their communities for all visitors.

The previous phase of the project in 2024 achieved impressive results, with 40 groups of hub coordinators in 22 regions and Kyiv being trained and subsequently providing consultations to over 25,000 hub visitors. The share of visitors who, after training, rated their digital literacy level at 7-10 points out of 10 increased almost fivefold – from 17% to 82%.

In 2025, it is planned to further expand the hub network and update methodological materials for libraries.

“2.8 million Ukrainians are already developing their digital skills on the Diia.Osvita platform,” says Ruslana Korenchuk, head of the national Diia.Osvita platform, manager of joint projects of the Eastern Europe Foundation and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. “The project’s goal is to reach the entire country, as these competencies directly affect economic well-being, citizens’ competitiveness, and the level of innovation. Library-based Digital Education Hubs provide equal access and offline support, especially for those who cannot study online at home.”

“According to a national study, more than 40% of Ukrainians still have a lower than basic level of digital literacy, so developing a network of hubs and involving coordinators is an important step towards improving citizens’ digital competencies. An updated national study of the level of digital skills is planned for the end of the year, which will show our social progress.”

“Older people in Ukraine use the Internet and electronic services the least,” said Olena Ursu, UNDP in Ukraine Democratic Governance Portfolio Team Leader. “In 2024, 67% of them named the lack of digital skills as the main reason. This is the highest indicator among citizens of all ages. That is why, in partnership with Sweden, we are helping the Ukrainian government promote digital literacy and, in particular, develop a network of Digital Education Hubs based on libraries, which teach people free of charge. The development of these spaces is a contribution to increasing the digital literacy of Ukrainians, and therefore expanding their rights, opportunities and access to information.” 

“For us, as the professional library community of Ukraine, this project is not just about digital literacy, but about developing resilient, cohesive and self-confident communities,” says Oksana Brui, President of the Ukrainian Library Association. “Libraries today are open spaces of opportunity, where every Ukrainian can develop the modern digital skills necessary for life, work and the restoration of the country, free of charge. Together, we are opening the door to digital education for everyone – from regional centres to the most remote villages of Ukraine.”

Currently, in hubs, people can acquire digital skills using a number of materials from the Diia.Education online learning platform. In particular, librarians can check their digital literacy level with two tools that were previously launched by programme partners – the Digigram, and the Digital Competency Framework. One can also master basic skills using the courses “Basic Digital Skills for People of an Elegant Age”, which was created with the support of UNDP and Sweden, as well as the “Smartphone for Parents” and “Basic Knowledge of Cyber Hygiene” courses. Similar tools and courses are also available for teachers and civil servants.

Previously, the Diia.Education platform launched an interactive map of about 5,000 locations across Ukraine where people can obtain digital skills training, including libraries, training centres, Administrative Services Centres, and IT spaces. By entering the name of their community in the map search, users can find the nearest hub with the address and contacts. They can also apply for their institution to become part of the Hub network.

The “Libraries Develop Digital Literacy to Strengthen Community Resilience and Recovery” project is implemented by the Ukrainian Library Association in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine within the framework of the DIA Support Project, which is implemented with funding from Sweden.

Media inquiries:

 Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Communications Team Leader, yuliia.samus@undp.org