CREATE UKRAINE: Ukraine, EU, and Lithuania launch a project for Ukrainians abroad

During the International Conference on Ukraine's Recovery URC-2024, the pilot project "Create Ukraine" was launched, creating conditions for the return of Ukrainian professionals currently abroad.

In Berlin, the signing of the respective memorandum took place between the Ministry of Economy, the Charitable Foundation of the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE Foundation), and the Lithuanian organization Central Project Management Agency.

Under the project, Ukrainians currently residing abroad will be able to return and work in project teams at Ukrainian government agencies. Participants' fees and other expenses, including logistics for returning to Ukraine, are covered by project funds.

"Currently, according to various estimates, up to 6.5 million forced migrants from Ukraine reside in different countries worldwide. The key message I want to convey to Ukrainians abroad is that you are awaited in Ukraine, you are needed here. Your experience, skills acquired in other countries are valuable for our future. That is why we encourage you to apply for the Create Ukraine program. Join the government team, use your experience to build our country's capacity. Your work will impact the lives of millions of Ukrainians in the most challenging times in our history," noted the First Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Sviridenko.

"Preserving and developing human capital is the foundation of KSE Foundation's work. For many years, we have been recognizing and providing opportunities for talented Ukrainians' development through our initiatives. Therefore, we are extremely confident in the strength and intellect of our youth. Your knowledge is essential for the country's development, and Create Ukraine creates conditions for their direct implementation in state reform. It is a unique opportunity to make a real contribution to economic transformation in times of war," said Svitlana Denysenko, Director of KSE Foundation.

The Create Ukraine project is modeled after the successful "Create Lithuania" program implemented in Lithuania since 2012. The program allows professionals to contribute to the country's future through their knowledge and ideas. The program involves professionals of Lithuanian origin with international experience. Participants work in the public sector for a year in areas such as digitization, e-governance, competitiveness enhancement, business environment, and public administration improvement—especially in the fields of innovation, sustainable development, and mental health.

"After returning to my home country and agreeing to participate in Create Lithuania, I was able to apply my international experience in the public sector and continued working at the Central Project Management Agency. Thanks to participation in Ukrainian projects, I realized that a program like Create Ukraine could be exactly what Ukraine needs now," noted Dalė Krapavičiūtė, Project Manager at the Central Project Management Agency (CPMA, Lithuania).

More about "Create Ukraine" and how to apply: Link

The pilot project was developed within the framework of Phase III of the EU4Youth program, funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania.