WAYS TO BRIDGE DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SKILLS GAPS IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article studies the degree of relevance of statistical assessment of digital transformations in the national economy and society of Ukraine in terms of digital infrastructure and digital skills of the population, because these areas in the prewar period saw the formation of gaps dangerous for faster digitization and creation of smart specialized socio-economic system. In conditions of war, they hinder more active adaptation to emergencies and will also hinder the post-war reconstruction of the country on the basis of a higher technological mode. The institutional, organizational and methodological inconsistency between the managing and regulatory entities in the area and state statistics bodies is stated, which causes a lack of relevant statistics in the area. In 2014-2020, significant capital investments in the development of telecommunications were made mainly by private companies, which now, in the conditions of hostilities, still ensure the stable functioning of telecommunications and restore destroyed facilities. In the situation of post-war reconstruction, the state, with the help of donor organizations, must reimburse their expenses on the restoration and deployment of electronic communications networks to bridge the digital infrastructure gaps in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine. The state should also take measures to provide social infrastructure facilities with access to the Internet.

Emphasis is placed on the need for transition to a mobilization model of management for the development of telecommunications sector, in which the leading role in the implementation of digitalization policy will belong to the central executive body in this area, namely the Ministry of Digital Transformation, and regional authorities.

The tool for digital transformation at the community level should be digital territorial communities, digital local governments, starostas’ (elected head of the territorial community of several small villages) digital offices, which, together with the state, can help bridge the gaps in the digital skills of the population.