From May 15 to 17, 2026, the 18th International Conference “Economies of the Balkan and Eastern European Countries” (EBEEC 2026) took place in Heraklion, Crete. The conference brought together international researchers to discuss economic transformation, sustainable development, digitalisation, regional development, and business practice.
CAIS researcher Dr. Tetiana Gorokhova presented a paper entitled “Digitalisation as a Driver of Circular Economy in Ukraine’s Post-War Industrial Reconstruction: Lessons from German Industry Practices”. The presentation built on her research on digitalisation, circular economy, and industrial transformation, asking under which conditions digital technologies can contribute to circular economy outcomes.
The presentation focused on experiences from companies in North Rhine-Westphalia, mostly medium-sized and large enterprises from different industrial sectors. The analysis showed that digital tools alone do not automatically create circular economy practices. Instead, their impact depends on institutional conditions, regulatory incentives, financing structures, and a shared understanding of why circular economy matters beyond short-term efficiency gains.
Based on these findings, Gorokhova discussed how selected German industry experiences can be adapted to the Ukrainian context. Particular attention was given to Ukraine’s post-war industrial reconstruction and to the question of how circular economy criteria can be embedded early in reconstruction programmes, regional development strategies, and business decisions. The presentation therefore connected empirical insights from Germany with the specific challenges facing Ukrainian industrial regions.
A central argument of the presentation was that reconstruction should not be understood only as a technical or financial process. It also creates a limited window for long-term development choices. If circular economy principles are considered only after reconstruction has already taken place, linear production and infrastructure patterns may become locked in again. Digitalisation can support a different pathway, but only when it is embedded in governance structures, regulation, and value-oriented communication.
Participation in EBEEC 2026 provided an opportunity to discuss these findings in an international academic context and to contribute to the broader debate on sustainable transformation pathways for Ukraine.
This research was conducted within the framework of the project HEI-TRAIN: HEI Transformation for Entrepreneurship and AI-Driven Innovation. Project (KAVA) Number 250749, funded by the European Union.