Create Ukraine has opened applications for a new stage of the programme, while 24 Ukrainian professionals from the second cohort, who returned from abroad through the programme, presented the first results of their six-month work on reforms within state institutions during a progress review session.
Twenty-four Ukrainian professionals who returned from abroad have spent the past six months working inside Ukraine’s government, contributing to projects ranging from a $150 million reconstruction investment fund to a system tracking €9.5 billion ($10.8 billion) in European support.
The professionals joined six ministries and two government offices through Create Ukraine – a programme designed to bring Ukrainians with international experience back to work in the country’s public sector during the war.
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On Monday, during a reporting session in Kyiv, the participants presented the interim results of their work on government reforms and strategic projects.
The organizers have announced the opening of applications for the program’s third stage. Ukrainians living abroad can apply through the Create Ukraine website by Aug. 14.
Assignments
Assignments have included preparations for a Ukrainian-Japanese technology business forum, the development of a new funding model for Ukrainian cultural products known as “Tysyachovesna,” and work supporting the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund.
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Participants have also analyzed more than 200 provisions of an EU directive on services in the internal market and contributed to government dashboards intended to monitor international assistance.
Most of the projects have moved from planning to practical implementation, with roadmaps, measurable performance indicators, and specific solutions expected by the end of the year, according to the program.
“The Ministry of Culture has been strengthened by five professionals who are working to support Ukrainian cultural products, preserve cultural heritage, and advance cultural diplomacy. These are important areas that help amplify Ukraine’s voice globally and preserve our national identity,” said Tetyana Berezhna, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for humanitarian policy and minister of culture and strategic communications.
Program background
Create Ukraine is based on Create Lithuania – a Lithuanian programme that has helped professionals return to work in the public sector for 14 years. The Ukrainian programme is implemented by the Lithuanian International Partnerships Center (CPVA) together with the KSE Foundation.
Create Ukraine began as a pilot initiative in 2024. Over two years, it has brought 34 Ukrainian professionals back to the country and expanded from a team working with one ministry to eight state institutions.
“In a very short time, the participants have delivered impressive results and demonstrated just how broad and diverse the Create Ukraine program is. It spans the fields of economy, energy, education, culture, social policy, European integration, and many others. This diversity is one of the program’s greatest strengths. The interim evaluation confirmed its effectiveness while also identifying opportunities to make it even stronger. For us, this sends the most important message: Create Ukraine has a strong future ahead and will continue to grow,” said Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė, Lithuania’s ambassador to Ukraine.
Participants currently work within the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture; the Ministry of Culture; the Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration; the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers; the Ministry of Education and Science; the Ministry of Energy; the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“For Lithuania, supporting Ukraine means supporting its people, reforms, and institutions. Create Ukraine brings these three elements together by strengthening the state, accelerating transformation, and creating opportunities for Ukrainian professionals abroad to return home. Create Ukraine also reminds us that reconstruction is ultimately a story about individual decisions. Each participant made a decision that deserves to be named out loud – choosing public service inside Ukrainian government institutions, in the middle of a full-scale war. That decision is itself an act of resilience – and, I would argue, an act of courage,” said Darius Skusevicius, Lithuania’s ambassador-at-large for the coordination of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
They identified key gaps and prepared proposals for amendments to Ukrainian legislation. During their first six months, they also developed a model for reforming the prosecutor’s office in line with European standards.
“Create Ukraine was launched in 2024 as a pilot initiative and has proven its effectiveness: participants’ knowledge and expertise are being transformed into tangible results for Ukraine’s economy, public institutions, and international standing. Over the past two years, the program has brought 34 professionals back to Ukraine and expanded from one ministry team to eight public institutions. We have already opened applications for the third phase, as we see growing demand from the public sector and the need to engage even more professionals with international experience in the country’s development,” said Svitlana Denysenko, Director of the KSE Foundation.
Participants are additionally working on an information platform explaining EU law and institutions to help Ukrainian citizens and professionals better understand the country’s European integration process.
“The program’s key value lies in the model itself. It is a clear roadmap from international experience back into Ukraine’s public service, applicable across institutions. It is not limited to a single ministry or policy area. Over two program cycles, Create Ukraine has demonstrated how such a map can contribute to stronger institutions, European integration, and recovery. We believe it can become a lasting driver of Ukraine’s institutional renewal and its European future,” said Arturas Zarnovskis, Ukraine recovery and peace programs coordinator at CPVA.
Reconstruction and partnership
Another area of the participants’ work involves attracting investment, supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction, and developing international economic partnerships.
The team is preparing a Technology Business Forum in Japan intended to strengthen cooperation between Ukrainian and Japanese companies.
Participants are also contributing to the development of the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund (URIF). Established by the Ukrainian and US governments with initial capital of $150 million, the fund is intended to support Ukraine’s economic recovery, strengthen strategic supply chains, and attract private investment from around the world.
The Ministry of Economy team prepared the business program for the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026. It is also working to launch the first state tracker for the Ukraine Investment Framework.
The tracker would allow the government to monitor the use of €9.5 billion ($10.8 billion) in European support and coordinate reconstruction programs through a single system.
In strategic communications, Create Ukraine participants prepare materials for international partners, analyze the global media landscape, and contribute to preparations for the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen.
According to the programme, this work is intended to strengthen Ukraine’s international communications and improve the presentation of major state initiatives abroad.
Participants working in the environmental, agricultural, and energy sectors are involved in climate policy, waste management reform, and the alignment of Ukraine’s agricultural and food legislation with EU standards.
Their work has included analyzing a new EU legislative package for the wine sector. They are also helping secure international support for the Energy Support Fund of Ukraine and develop instruments for cooperation with international partners.
As for education and social policy, participants are working on multilingual education, the digital transformation of science, and the development of research infrastructure.
Ukrainians abroad
Additionally, participants are contributing to the establishment of a network of Unity Centers for Ukrainians living abroad.
Two centers are already operating in Berlin and Sweden, and there are plans to expand the network across Europe.
Along with this, participants have contributed to the launch of “Dodomu,” a digital platform that provides Ukrainians in different countries with information about returning home, adapting and reintegrating into life in Ukraine.
Five Create Ukraine participants are working at the Culture Ministry on cultural projects, heritage preservation, and cultural diplomacy.
Their work includes organizing international conferences involving 38 countries, including Ukraine, and updating the state support system for cultural projects.
Another area of their work is the evacuation of museum collections from frontline regions. Participants have inspected more than 50 museums across six Ukrainian regions and are working to establish a coordination center for the evacuation of museum valuables.
Other projects include preparations for the Ukrainian studies conference “Ukraine in the World,” the development of the online course “Cultural and Artistic Practices in Humanitarian Response,” and the creation of “Tysyachovesna,” a new funding model for Ukrainian cultural products.
Create Ukraine programme is funded by Lithuania through the Lithuanian Fund for the Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid and is aimed at supporting the return and successful integration of Ukrainian professionals currently living abroad into Ukraine’s public sector. The programme is implemented by the Lithuanian International Partnerships Center (CPVA) together with the KSE Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania and in close cooperation with the Government of Ukraine.
This article is partner content and does not form part of Kyiv Post’s editorial coverage.
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