E-passport, E-support, Diia-Signature: how Ukraine became the first digital state in the world
In the 21st century, few people are surprised by a useful app on their phone, but Ukraine has gone further and created the first "State in a Smartphone". Find out more about how the Diia app was created and how it changed the world
The Diia app was first introduced to the world in 2019 at a small IT forum in Zaporizhzhia. It came as a shock to both Ukrainians and the global community, and after its official release on 6 February 2020, the app gained its first million users in the first few days. Today, the number of registered citizens has exceeded 19 million.
How did the Diia app come about?
According to Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, after studying the experience of other countries, including Estonia, New Zealand, the UK and the US, the Ministry of Digital Transformation realized that a traditional state institution was not suitable for them, and they wanted to create something similar to Booking, Airbnb and Uber.
The goal of the Ministry of Digital Transformation was to create an app that would make every Ukrainian feel like a citizen of the most progressive and convenient country in the world.
Nowadays, an electronic passport is a legally recognized document with the same legal force as a paper and plastic version. And Ukraine was the first country in the world to do so.
Another important factor that contributed to the success of the app was the fact that the project was supported by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who conveyed to the people that the country really needed it. Mykhailo Fedorov noted that if it weren't for the president, Diia would not have been so popular and would have hardly earned the trust of Ukrainian citizens and the international community so quickly.
Today, Diia is recognized as the best app in the world in many parameters and has won more than a dozen international awards. In addition, applications in other countries, including Estonia, which is one of the world's leaders in digitalization, are being built on the code base of our app.
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What services are available in the Diia app?
In 2023, the app's functionality is not limited to electronic documents. The portal allows you to get hundreds of services without leaving your home, both for Ukrainian citizens and businesses.
The available services in the app and on the official Diia website are divided into categories:
- Digital education;
- Business;
- Citizens;
- eBaby, eSupport, eHome, eWork, and others.
Each category has dozens of subcategories where users can
- obtain the necessary certificates and extracts without going to government offices;
- apply for licenses, declarations, a new driving licence or subsidies;
- receive a grant or assistance from the state;
- register or insure a vehicle or other property;
- obtain a child's birth certificate, name change or marriage certificate;
- pay taxes, utility bills or fines;
- open a sole proprietorship;
- sign any documents using an e-signature, etc.
It is worth noting that the application's functionality is constantly being expanded, and it is planned to digitize 2,000 services by 2024. This list includes a new service for foreigners, which will allow them to open and manage companies in Ukraine remotely.
What is the success of the "State in a Smartphone" project?
Firstly, the Diia app ensures constant high-quality communication between the government and society. Through the app, you can get help, file complaints, or take part in a survey on pressing issues related to the development and future of the country.
Secondly, the digitalization of the state, where the main task is not only the actual implementation of the declared administrative services, but also a careful and empathetic attitude to the needs of citizens, their comfort and feelings.
We remind you! Earlier, we wrote that Diia had launched the eRecovery service, which allows Ukrainians to receive funds for the repair of housing damaged as a result of the war. You can find out how to apply for a eRecovery card and get cashback in our article here.
Photo: thedigital.gov.ua
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