Create Ukraine has launched the third wave of the programme, opening doors to twenty-six talented and highly educated Ukrainians living abroad to join the team of changemakers who want to contribute to Ukraine’s recovery and revival.
The call for applications is open until 14 August 2026. Candidates may submit their applications via the following link: https://foundation.kse.ua/en/create-ukraine/?utm_source=cpva&utm_medium=ln
For those ready to join, the baseline criteria are straightforward. Applicants must be at least twenty-two years old and have spent at least two years living, studying, or working abroad. Beyond these requirements, the program offers immense flexibility. All professions and backgrounds are endorsed, and candidates will be matched with relevant projects in various ministries. Whether an applicant’s background is in tech, finance, law, or public policy, their skills are highly valued.
During the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, highlighted the significant importance of bringing Ukrainian professionals into the public sector to drive the country’s reconstruction and development, both now and after the war.
“Ukraine’s recovery is first and foremost about people. Together with our partners, the Government is creating opportunities where international experience becomes a competitive advantage for the state. Create Ukraine is a tool for bringing a new generation of professionals into public service. The programme enables Ukrainians who have gained education and experience abroad to join government teams and contribute to the country’s transformation precisely when it is needed most.” – Yuliia Svyrydenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine.
Create Ukraine is a unique programme that provides a structured, result-driven pathway for Ukrainians with professional international experience to return home and integrate their knowledge to build a career in the public sector, contributing to the country’s recovery, reconstruction, and European future.
This initiative represents a unique partnership, advancing Euro-integration and implementing crucial reforms to overcome the challenges of war. The program is funded by Lithuania and implemented by the Lithuanian International Partnerships Centre (CPVA) alongside the KSE Foundation, operating in close cooperation with the Government of Ukraine and the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Ukraine’s recovery will be built by people — by talented Ukrainians who bring knowledge, experience and the courage to serve their country. Create Ukraine programme is our joint invitation to them: come back, lead reforms, and help build Ukraine’s European future. For Lithuania, supporting Ukraine means supporting institutions, reforms and people. Create Ukraine brings all three together: it strengthens the state, accelerates reform and opens a path for Ukrainians abroad to contribute directly to their country.” – Kestutis Budrys, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.
The programme is inspired by the highly successful Create Lithuania model, which has been pulling national talents abroad into public service since 2012. Participants are not interns or passive observers. From day one, they are integrated directly into ministry teams and top-level public institutions, working on projects of national significance. The programme turns global expertise into measurable impact for Ukraine while simultaneously boosting the participants’ own careers through dedicated mentorship, Government Relations training, and access to a vibrant community of fellow changemakers.
“We are proud that Lithuania’s experience is helping Ukraine at such a pivotal moment. Together with our Ukrainian partners, we have developed and implemented two successful waves of Create Ukraine, bringing internationally experienced Ukrainians back into public service. These professionals return home equipped with the knowledge, skills and global perspectives to become a new generation of leaders and changemakers. We hope Create Ukraine becomes for Ukraine what Create Lithuania has become for us: a driving force for renewal, stronger Ukraine, and country’s European future.” – Arturas Zarnovskis, Ukraine Recovery and Peace Programmes Coordinator, Lithuanian International Partnerships Center (CPVA).
As of June 2026, around six million Ukrainians are living abroad due to the full-scale war. While financial resources are vital for reconstruction, Ukraine’s recovery ultimately relies on people – skilled, visionary professionals capable of strengthening institutions and managing complex national projects. Many Ukrainians abroad have gained world-class education, unique professional networks, and global perspectives. Create Ukraine provides the perfect bridge to bring that knowledge back where it is needed most. It specifically targets specialists who had excellent career opportunities and could have easily stayed abroad with top global companies, but are choosing instead to return and apply their valuable experience to reforms at home.
The data proves that this mechanism works. The first two cohorts successfully brought back thirty-four talented young Ukrainians from all corners of the globe, including New Zealand, Japan, Morocco, and the United States. Far from just brainstorming big ideas, these participants achieved significant success, supporting the attraction of over one hundred investment projects, contributing directly to the US-Ukraine Mineral Resources Agreement, and facilitating more than fifteen billion dollars in investment commitments. They have also played a significant role in moving forward key initiatives for EU membership.
Due to this success, the program is scaling up. What started as a pilot project with just ten participants in a single ministry has expanded across nine government institutions, demonstrating strong demand from both candidates and government partners. Competition is fierce, with the previous intake receiving an impressive ten applications for every single open position.
Ultimately, national recovery can only be effective with skilled, passionate people at the helm. For Ukrainian professionals ready to trade their corporate desks abroad for a seat at the table where the country’s future is being written, applications for the third cohort of Create Ukraine are officially open.
