News Item
OSCE empowers Ukrainian start-ups to transform open data into scalable solutions
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- Issued by:
- Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities
As part of its efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s business and investment climate through open data, the OSCE, in co-operation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and SocialBoost, organized the Open Data Keynotes event in Kyiv on 12 February. The event marked the culmination of the Open Data Unbroken 2.0 nationwide small grants and accelerator programme , bringing together over 80 representatives from government, start-ups, civil society, and the private sector, to showcase how open data-driven initiatives can support economic recovery, transparency, and investor confidence amid wartime challenges.
Building on the success of the first Open Data Unbroken initiative launched in 2023, and responding to strong demand, Open Data Unbroken 2.0 was launched in 2025 as a 10-week acceleration programme to expand impact and sustainability. It provides financial support, mentoring, and access to experts, enabling IT specialists and developers to turn their innovative ideas into tangible solutions that drive positive change.
The programme supports two start-ups leveraging open data to address war-related challenges, while promoting transparency and economic recovery. One initiative helps investors and policymakers make evidence-based decisions by turning open data into clear and efficient regional investment indicators. The other enhances transparency and accountability in public procurement by analyzing multiple data sources, supporting anti-corruption monitoring, due diligence, and trust in the economic system.
“Open data is not only a transparency tool; it is a critical economic asset,” said Vera Strobachova-Budway, Senior Economic Officer at the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. “Through Open Data Unbroken 2.0, we are supporting Ukrainian start-ups in turning publicly available data into scalable solutions that reduce investment risks, strengthen trust, and lay the groundwork for long-term, inclusive economic growth.”
The event provided a platform for stakeholder exchange, reinforcing trust across the economic system. Keynote speakers from private sector, media and alumni of the first Open Data Unbroken programme, highlighted the importance of Ukraine’s open data ecosystem and the growing role of data-driven solutions in fostering transparency, accountability, and economic resilience.
“Open Data Unbroken 2.0 highlighted the role of open data as a foundation for transparent recovery and sustainable reconstruction. By using public data on companies, investments, and risks, the winning teams showcased how data-driven solutions can strengthen accountability and support better decisions during Ukraine’s recovery. We value the OSCE’s support in advancing this important work” added Yanina Liubyva, Head of the Expert Group on Open Data within the Directorate of State Electronic Systems and Data at the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.
Participants also discussed next steps and potential follow-up activities, including the scaling-up of the acceleration programme.
The event was part of the OSCE-wide extrabudgetary project, Promoting Good Governance and a Positive Business Climate in the OSCE Region through Digitalization and the Use of Open Data, funded by the United States with additional support from Poland and Norway.