The Ministry of Digital Transformation continues to work on digital projects initiated in partnership with USAID, but is exploring alternative funding sources in case the agency's programs are not resumed after the completion of a three-month audit, stated Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation Alexander Bornyakov.
"USAID is indeed our strategic partner. We have accomplished a lot with them (...), numerous digital projects. I can only provide you with public information: they have suspended (...), the audit is ongoing for three months, after which there will be some decision. We believe that digital initiatives will remain...", said Bornyakov during the presentation of the WINWIN AI Center of Excellence on Tuesday in Kyiv.
According to him, the Ministry of Digital Transformation is actively seeking alternative funding from other partner countries.
"We have also started discussions with other countries that are helping us, to substitute in case these programs (USAID, - IF-U) are not continued (...) Nothing significant has happened (...) Even if there is a scenario where they completely halt (operations - IF-U), I think we will find ways to continue our digital projects," said Bornyakov.
He reminded that USAID has funded many other areas that "do not fall under our (digital - IF-U) policy," particularly recovery processes and energy. However, there is currently no talk of a complete cessation, emphasized the deputy minister.
"Regarding alternative sources, the President of Ukraine has already planned to look into what might require priority funding, and I believe this will be partially covered by the state budget," noted Bornyakov.
It was previously reported that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Ukraine received an order to suspend funding for all projects due to a directive from the U.S. State Department to halt aid programs to other countries for 90 days.