Rebuild Ukraine Lab Returns for 2025 Edition in Brașov

Where did the Rebuild Ukraine Ambassadors meet?

The third edition of the Rebuild Ukraine Lab, organised by EYP Romania, took place in Brașov, a historical city within the Carpathian mountains, from 9-12 October 2025. Hosting the event in Romania reflected the country’s steadfast support for Ukraine and its role as a regional hub for cooperation and solidarity. The proximity to Ukraine also enabled a valuable addition to the programme: a study trip to Lviv, where participants gained first-hand perspectives on the topics explored throughout the event.

Focus topics

The 30 participants explored a wide range of topics focused on Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction in the context of the full-scale invasion, as well as its EU accession process. They were divided into 6 working groups, each addressing a key priority area:

• the reframing of Ukraine’s narrative in a European context;
• social cohesion, inclusion and youth empowerment;
• combating disinformation and enhancing democratic resilience;
• support for SMEs and tech-driven economic recovery;
• rebuilding trust in public institutions and fighting corruption;
•  strategic natural resource management.

Process and results

Each working group had the chance to connect and directly engage with experts from the respective fields, receiving valuable insights into Ukraine’s reconstruction process and reform priorities. Professionals from Ukrainian and international think tanks, civil society organisations, and media institutions assisted the programme’s Ambassadors in reaching their aim: drafting a Policy Paper encapsulating their solutions for Ukraine’s future. The participants started their collaboration months before their journey to Romania, taking part in preparatory workshops and thematic exercises, sharing each step of the way with their peers from other groups. In Brașov, they deepened their group work under the guidance of facilitators, refining their ideas into concrete policy proposals. They are now finalising a collective Policy Paper, with a publication summarising their recommendations to be released next year.

The Rebuild Ukraine Ambassadors Programme 2025 is implemented with financial support from the Central European Initiative Cooperation Fund, the E.ON Foundation, the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe, and the U.S. Mission to the EU.