Each project under the Tallinn Mechanism passes through five stages.
Stage 1. Project Submission
Projects expected to receive funding under the Tallinn Mechanism must meet clearly defined criteria to ensure their quality and relevance.
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Eligible domains: cybersecurity, cyber defense, cyber resilience
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Cyber component: ≥50–60% of total project scope
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Feasibility within national institutions and law
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Potential for long-term sustainability and measure outcomes
Recipients submit their projects through the Catalog - the platform for managing national cyber initiatives within the Tallinn Mechanism. Launched on June 17, 2024, the Catalog connects donors and recipients, making the process of project submission, review, and support more efficient, while ensuring transparency and fast implementation.
Stage 2. Technical Review
On this stage submitted projects are assessed by a Technical Working Group (TWG) formed by high-level technical experts. They evaluate projects based on approved criteria, focusing on their technical side.
TWG is led by the Deputy Head of the Cybersecurity Department, Security Service of Ukraine and includes technical experts from national cybersecurity agencies
TWG Main Objectives:
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Evaluates submitted TM projects and needs
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Approves or rejects projects based on set criteria
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Verifies compliance and provides feedback
NB! A project may be rejected or returned for revision if it doesn’t meet requirements.
Stage 3. Interagency Review
At the next stage, projects are assessed by an Interagency Working Group (IWG) led by the First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. Its structure is approved by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and includes representatives of all Ukrainian state agencies involved in national cyber efforts.
IWG Main Objectives:
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Review TM activities and progress
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Approve projects pre-validated by the Technical Working Group
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Endorse key decisions within the Tallinn Mechanism
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Approve major TM initiatives
Stage 4. Publication and Donor Support
Projects approved by the IWG are published in the Catalog and become available for donor review and support. Donors may finance an entire project or choose specific “needs” if a project consists of multiple components.
As a result, international partners receive a set of initiatives that reflect Ukraine’s priority needs, allowing each donor to support the projects that best align with their interests and capabilities.
Stage 5. Project Implementation
Each donor (primarily Tallinn Mechanism member states) selects an implementing partner responsible for delivering the approved projects. The implementing partners conduct their own tenders or procurement procedures to ensure effective implementation. The list of active tenders is available at the link. Ukrainian, European, American, and Canadian companies may participate, with detailed eligibility requirements specified in each individual tender.
