Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation has proposed using its national AI and blockchain sandbox as a testing environment for European digital policy. The initiative, which launched in mid-2025, aims to help the EU stress-test governance frameworks using real-world data before they are codified into law.
The sandbox has received over 100 applications and currently supports approximately 25 companies in active testing phases. Startups receive legal, technical, and business assistance under non-disclosure agreements, with a primary focus on ensuring compliance with EU regulations such as the AI Act and GDPR.
Unlike similar initiatives in the UK, Denmark, and Spain that prioritize fintech, the Ukrainian sandbox covers a broad range of sectors, including GovTech, DefenseTech, MedTech, AgroTech, EdTech, energy, and science. The project utilizes the Council of Europe’s HUDERIA framework for human-rights impact assessments.
Minister of Digital Transformation Oksana Ferchuk, who took office on July 16, 2026, presented the proposal at the Global Tech Kharkiv 2026 conference. The platform is designed to bridge the implementation gap of the EU AI Act, which entered into force in 2024 but continues to phase in various provisions.
