The international Forum on e-democracy was organized by Podillya Agency for Regional Development, OPORA Civic Network together with State Agency for E-Governance of Ukraine, Reanimation Reforms Package, Vinnytsya City Council, E-Governance Cities Association and with expert support of UNDP and other international organizations and partners. The purpose was to discuss the ways how open data and e-participation can influence political and social changes in Ukraine. In particular, the event focused on the use of open data to reach out to target audiences and empower their representatives to partake in policy discussion. Even more, the forum offered efficient solutions for local governments – introduced from one municipality or community to another, - innovations for the regions in the field of e-democracy, and on the relation between innovative technologies and civic engagement.

Diana Zubko, expert in democratic governance at UNDP Office in Ukraine, presented UNDP's experience and activities in the field of open data. She discussed in her presentation some major issues that need to be considered during the process of opening data. Particularly, she thematized the importance of opening data; the need to assess Ukraine's readiness to open data; practical steps for implementing a strategy of open data; and the need to include as many stakeholders and internet users as possible in the process of opening data. Finally, she integrated in her presentation some regional examples and experiences of other Eastern European countries.

UNDP has been playing a key role in promoting open data and e-democracy in Ukraine, and it encourages cooperation among government, private sector, civil society organizations and citizens to achieve United Nations' SDG. In the field of civic technology and open data UNDP has supported many relevant initiatives that led to successful results. These are only a few examples of UNDP's engagement:

- More transparent and accountable local governments thanks to enhanced feedback loops with civic activists through innovative ICT-based tools;
- Open Data Portals (for government and Parliament) have been set up recently to encourage civic initiatives. Up to now, more than 3000 Government and over 400 Parliament datasets have been disclosed for the public on these portals.
- Open Budget tools have been introduced in many oblasts and cities in Ukraine to show how the city budget is used by local governments; this is a very powerful supervision instrument in the hands of the citizens.

In all these developments UNDP has been making a huge contribution to support a strong cooperation among government, IT specialists and civil society by holding public meetings on open data. In this way, UNDP ensures not only that data are opened, but also that data are effectively used for decision making processes by stakeholders and that IT applications are created to meet socially important needs.