Ways to improve digital democracy in Ukraine

Abstract

The article examines the transformation of digital democracy in Ukraine in the context of accelerated digitalization caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, full-scale war, and the growth of cyber threats and disinformation. The relevance of the work is due to the need to assess the effectiveness of digital tools for citizen participation and identify systemic barriers to their development at the local level. The purpose of the article is to determine the current state of digital democracy in Ukraine and develop practical recommendations for its improvement using the example of the Vinnytsia urban territorial community. The methodological basis is systemic, comparative, and statistical analysis, as well as elements of scenario modeling and an indicator approach to assessing digital transformation. The study found that Vinnytsia demonstrates a high level of digital development, in particular through the expansion of e-services, the introduction of open data, the development of smart-city solutions, and mechanisms for public participation. At the same time, key problems were identified: digital inequality (especially among people 55+ and rural residents), low conversion of e-petitions, growing cyber threats, institutional fragmentation, and insufficient funding for digital initiatives. A three-level roadmap for the development of digital democracy (2026–2035) was proposed, which includes measures to increase digital literacy, unify digital platforms, implement AI solutions, develop infrastructure, and gradually transition to deliberative and electronic electoral mechanisms. Scenario analysis showed the presence of basic, optimistic, and pessimistic development options, with a hybrid scenario of moderate growth being the most likely. The findings confirm that digital democracy in Ukraine has already passed the point of no return, but its further development depends on overcoming digital inequality, strengthening cyber resilience, and stable funding. Vinnytsia is considered a pilot model that can be scaled up to the national level.