In recent years, Ukraine has become a powerful example of how a state can transform rapidly, boldly, and technologically — even in times of war. Electronic documents, digital services, automated processes, and data- and AI-driven solutions have already become part of everyday life for millions of Ukrainians.
Behind every digital service stand not only technologies, but also leaders who understand how to apply them to design citizen-oriented policies and services. CDTO Campus was created to prepare such professionals — a national educational initiative that trains digital leaders for the public sector.
Anyone can join CDTO Campus programmes and begin the path toward becoming a digital transformation leader.
A detailed guide on how to enrol and start a career in the public sector is available on the Diia.Education platform.
Who CDTOs Are and How They Differ from Digital Leaders
A CDTO (Chief Digital Transformation Officer) is a digital transformation executive within public authorities — ministries, central executive bodies, and regional administrations. These are leaders who:
- shape the vision of digital transformation;
- oversee digital services and platforms;
- coordinate teams and projects;
- make decisions at the intersection of technology, policy, and citizens’ needs.
In 2025, the mandate of CDTOs was expanded. They are now responsible not only for digitalisation, but also for innovation development. This includes working with ecosystems, partnerships, pilot solutions, and scaling successful projects.
Digital leaders at the regional and community level represent another essential component of this system. They implement electronic services locally, support digital infrastructure, and help communities access public services efficiently and conveniently. Thanks to their work, digital transformation becomes tangible for every Ukrainian, regardless of where they live.
As of January 2026, Ukraine has:
For digital reforms to succeed, the public sector needs leaders who can build teams, make informed decisions, and implement meaningful change. The unique educational project CDTO Campus is dedicated to training and upskilling precisely these leaders.
CDTO Campus: A Gateway to a Career in the Public Sector
About the project
CDTO Campus
a national educational initiative that prepares CDTOs and their teams — professionals who implement digital transformation and innovative technology projects within public administration. It is the first project in the world to offer long-term, structured programmes specifically designed for the public sector. Unlike short-term courses or business-focused programmes, CDTO Campus addresses the real challenges of governance: legislation, state systems, crisis conditions, and high public accountability.
Project Background
CDTO Campus was launched on the initiative of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine under the leadership of Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Minister of Digital Transformation (2019–2026), and Valeria Ionan, Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Advisor to the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. The project officially started in November 2023, with the first customised programmes launched in January 2024.
The educational programmes
are grounded in Ukraine’s practical experience of digital transformation, including implementation during wartime conditions.
The mission of CDTO Campus
is to ensure that the state is supported by professionals who can implement digital and innovative change in a systemic, responsible, and results-driven manner.
Training at CDTO Campus
equips participants with the competencies required for the role of a digital transformation leader in the public sector. The programmes prepare professionals capable of taking responsibility for digital reforms and implementing them at the institutional level.
Participants develop competencies in:
- leadership and digital governance management within public institutions;
- designing and implementing digital transformation strategies;
- managing digital teams and cross-institutional projects;
- applying OKR and Lean methodologies in public administration;
- working with state registries and public procurement systems;
- data governance and cybersecurity resilience;
- responsible implementation of AI-driven solutions;
- communicating digital initiatives and building strategic partnerships.
Who Can Apply?
Citizens
committed to advancing the state through digital change and modern public services
Newcomers to the public sector
seeking foundational knowledge and practical skills
Experienced digital transformation professionals and teams
aiming to strengthen project and team performance
IT, business, and civil society professionals
who wish to apply their expertise within public digital initiatives
Education at CDTO Campus is structured around a faculty-based model, which allows for deep immersion in specific areas.
Faculties and Areas of Study
The GovTech Faculty
focuses on modernising public administration through digital solutions, including public services, registries, digital platforms, change management, and data governance.
The former Cybersecurity Faculty
trained professionals and executives capable of ensuring the cyber resilience of state systems, protecting data, and responding to incidents. It has since expanded into a separate track — CISO Campus.
The AI Faculty
develops competencies in applying artificial intelligence within the public sector — from improving operational efficiency to supporting data-informed decision-making.
The Diia Faculty
was established to train teams working within the ecosystem of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, taking into account the specifics of large-scale public digital products and services.
Customized educational programmes
CDTO Campus also delivers customized educational programmes developed by the project’s academic team in collaboration with leading Ukrainian and international experts. These programmes are designed to prepare CDTOs and local digital leaders, addressing the real needs of public administration and the specific conditions of different regions, including frontline areas.
Among the key customised programmes:
“Digital Transformation in Public Administration”
designed for CDTOs of ministries, other central executive authorities, and regional military administrations
“Digital Transformation in Public Administration for Local Authorities”
tailored for local digital leaders.
“Leadership Program in Cybersecurity for Executives”
focused on organising, implementing, and developing cybersecurity systems within the public sector
Partnership programmes
CDTO Campus also implements partnership programmes in collaboration with international businesses, organisations, and foreign governments, including Google, Microsoft, Cisco, AWS, Apolitical, UNDP. These programmes are adapted to Ukraine’s specific needs and provide participants with practical skills in modern digital tools, cloud platforms, AI, and cybersecurity.
Among the key partnership programmes:
“Women in Cyber: Skills in Cyber Defence”
a programme for women taking their first steps in cybersecurity
“Microsoft: Cloud Platforms and AI for productivity and security”
training on the use of cloud services and AI in the public sector
“Cisco: AI Fundamentals in Simple Terms”
a programme providing foundational knowledge of artificial intelligence, covering key concepts, technologies, and their impact on the public sector
In addition, CDTO Campus delivers training within the framework of the Tallinn Mechanism, an international initiative aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s cyber resilience. These partnership programmes equip participants to detect and respond to cyber threats, analyse data, and enhance the security of government systems — even under complex and high-risk conditions.
Training at CDTO Campus is free of charge and based on a competitive selection process. Participants gain not only knowledge and practical skills, but also access to a professional community of digital leaders, open lectures, applied case studies, and career opportunities in the public sector.
Key achievements in numbers:
More detailed information is available on the official CDTO Campus website
Social networks of CDTO Campus
CDTO Campus is implemented by East Europe Foundation under the patronage of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. The initiative is supported by Visa Foundation, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and Switzerland within the framework of EGAP Program implemented by East Europe Foundation. The technology partner is Cisco.