The Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting (IER, Ukraine) is proud to announce that it has joined the newly launched European Network for Technological Resilience and Sovereignty (ETRS)—a platform bringing together leading research institutions, think tanks, and policy experts dedicated to strengthening Europe’s digital and technological resilience.
IER’s Academic Director Veronika Movchan presented the Institute’s perspective during the inaugural meeting of the network. In her address, she emphasized that for Ukraine, technological and digital resilience is not an abstract concept but a matter of national survival. “Digitalisation has been essential to Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression and maintain the functioning of government and businesses,” Movchan stated. “At the same time, the war has revealed the fragility of critical systems and the need for a stronger balance between efficiency and security. We are honoured to become an inaugural member of the ETRS and look forward to contributing to a more resilient, competitive, and secure Europe.”
Leading Research Fellow Iryna Kosse, who also attended the launch event on Monday, November 17, in Berlin, emphasized that “joining this initiative is crucial because, in a time of global instability and growing competition among global powers, Europe must develop its own technological networks and reduce dependence on American or Chinese technologies. Ukraine has both lessons to learn and valuable experience to share in this field. IER brings strong expertise in data-driven research and the ability to engage Ukrainian stakeholders.”
Why ETRS Matters
Europe’s digital infrastructure remains heavily dependent on imported technologies—particularly in AI, cloud services, and semiconductors—creating strategic vulnerabilities and limiting autonomy. IER strongly supports ETRS efforts to develop coordinated, evidence-based approaches that reduce dependencies, strengthen interoperability, and build resilient digital commons aligned with Europe’s competitiveness and public interest.
Ukraine’s wartime experience provides unique, practical insights into maintaining critical digital services and supply chains under extreme stress—knowledge that can help shape stronger resilience strategies across the EU.
Organisations Participating in the ETRS Network
The ETRS brings together a diverse group of leading European institutions. Founding members include Bertelsmann Stiftung, CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies), the AI & Society Institute, and the Polish Economic Institute, representing Germany, France, Belgium and Poland.
The broader group of participating organisations includes: Bertelsmann Stiftung, AI & Society Institute, CEPS, Polski Instytut Ekonomiczny, Centre for Future Generations (CFG), Commons Network, European Council on Foreign Relations, The European Decentralisation Institute, European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), IE University Global Policy Center, Ukrainian Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting (IER), Jean Monnet Institute, Mandag Morgen, Open Future Foundation, Re-Imagine Europa, St Gallen Endowment, and TUM Think Tank.
IER’s Contribution to the ETRS Network
As a member, IER will contribute expertise in critical infrastructure and supply chains under stress, evidence-based policy design rooted in data and business feedback, as well as tracking, monitoring, and evaluation methods that can be integrated into ETRS metrics and indices. IER will also support outreach and advocacy efforts across Ukraine and Central & Eastern Europe.
IER’s commitments for 2026 include organizing an online workshop, soliciting experts from Ukraine to contribute to the network’s work, and participating in the preparation of the first pan-EU ETRS Status Report.
