DOGE in Ukraine: can a government efficiency department work like in the US?
Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov has announced the launch of a Ukrainian equivalent of DOGE the Department of Government Efficiency initiated in the US with the involvement of Elon Musk. At first glance, it may seem like just another trendy project. But in reality, it’s a bold attempt to change the very logic of how public funds are spent and to do so in a time of war and budget crisis.
DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) is a relatively new US agency created in January 2025, following Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Elon Musk served as an informal advisor during its early development, helping to shape its vision.
The department’s main goal is to reduce wasteful spending, digitize bureaucratic processes, review public programs, and initiate IT reforms. Among its earliest actions were eliminating redundant grant programs, optimizing federal offices, and launching unified procurement and budgeting platforms.
“DOGE isn’t about cutting people it’s about cutting stupidity,” said one Trump administration advisor in an interview with Axios.
DOGE is not a traditional federal department. It operates under the direct oversight of the White House, with a dedicated administrator, analytical units, and authority to recommend changes to the federal budget structure.
What did Fedorov propose?
On July 18, Minister Mykhailo Fedorov made an unexpected statement:
“I plan to launch a DOGE-style initiative for several projects. We urgently need to cut spending and assess efficiency. I’ll be looking for someone to lead this direction,” he posted on social media.
According to Fedorov, the aim is to analyze government spending and bring a new level of transparency to public administration. The plan may become a natural extension of Ukraine’s Diia ecosystem not for citizens this time, but for the state itself.
Is a Ukrainian DOGE realistic?
Unlike in the United States, where the president holds sweeping executive powers, establishing a new government body in Ukraine requires coordination with the Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament. But from a legal standpoint, such an initiative is entirely feasible:
- through the creation of a new state agency or digital office under the Ministry of Digital Transformation;
- via a presidential decree establishing an interdepartmental task force;
- or as a project-based reform center in partnership with international donors.
Ukraine already has similar precedents such as the Reform Office under the Cabinet, BRDO, and the Economic Security Bureau. The real challenge lies not in the legal framework, but in institutional capacity and public trust.
“We already have the Ministry of Finance, the State Audit Service, and the Accounting Chamber. But no one believes they truly evaluate efficiency. What we need is not just another department but a new culture of governance,” says public administration expert Serhiy Parkhomenko.
Key conditions for launching DOGE in Ukraine
- Political will Without support from the Office of the President, the Cabinet, and international partners, the initiative could remain a symbolic gesture.
- An independent team Choosing the right leader will be a litmus test. This must be a reform-minded professional, not a PR figure.
- Sustainable funding Ideally, the department should be co-financed by donors (e.g. USAID, EBRD, GIZ), not solely from the national budget.
- Tech infrastructure The Ministry of Digital Transformation already has the capability to build platforms for spending control and performance evaluation.
- Freedom from political influence The new structure must have the authority to scrutinize all government bodies including those seen as politically protected.
What could go wrong?
- Institutional resistance No ministry or agency is eager to give up budget autonomy or expose inefficiencies.
- Overloaded mandate If DOGE is expected to “fix everything,” it may collapse under its own weight.
- Politicization If the initiative becomes a platform for political appointments, it will lose credibility.
- Fake KPIs Without measurable, transparent performance metrics, the initiative risks becoming a showcase exercise.
Why Ukraine needs its own DOGE
In wartime, with shrinking foreign aid and mounting debt pressure, efficiency is not a luxury it’s survival.
- In 2024, over 42% of Ukraine’s budget was allocated to defense.
- Government institutions continue to spend billions with little to no real audit of outcomes.
- Several international partners are now demanding a transition to results-based governance instead of spending-based evaluation.
DOGE can become not a tool of control, but a tool of trust. If implemented independently, openly, and competently, it could boost not only spending efficiency but also public confidence in government.
A Ukrainian DOGE would not be just another reform slogan. It could mark a turning point in how the state manages public money. If done right it will deliver leaner budgets and stronger trust. If botched it will add to the long list of missed reform opportunities.
“Efficiency isn’t an Excel sheet. It’s accountability. If we don’t get that no DOGE will save us,” said a member of one government reform group.
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