This project is organised by the European Youth Parliament (EYP) to give a platform to young perspectives on Ukrainian reconstruction. The Rebuild Ukraine Lab was first held in 2023 in Warsaw and Lviv, followed by the October 2024 edition in Berlin. Explore our newly published Vision Paper, "A Sustainable Tomorrow – Youth Visions for Rebuilding Ukraine," now available on our website. Scroll down for more details.
Focusing on economic recovery issues with social and environmental considerations in the context of Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and integration with Europe, the Rebuild Ukraine Ambassadors Programme is a project organised by the EYP to give young perspectives on Ukrainian reconstruction a platform. Most prominently, it features the Rebuild Ukraine Lab, a three-day workshop with around 20 participants, consisting of a 50/50 mix of Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians from across Europe, gathering young ideas on how Ukraine should be rebuilt.
The last Rebuild Ukraine Lab was held from October 10th to 13th in Berlin, following two digital preparatory meetings in September and early October 2024.
After the successful first edition of the Rebuild Ukraine Lab, the 2024 cohort met to brainstorm and develop ideas for Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery. Guided by EYP alumni Anastasiia Ianovytska and Kristina Chelmakina, participants engaged in group work, expert exchanges, and interactive sessions to create targeted aims and solutions across five key areas: Urbanisation, Cultural Heritage, Cybersecurity, Education, and Energy Security. They have successfully published a vision paper capturing their ideas and recommendations.
Find out more about the Rebuild Ukraine Lab 2024 in Berlin here.
The call for the 2025 cohort of Rebuild Ukraine Ambassadors closed in June, and we will soon announce the new ambassadors for this year. The Rebuild Ukraine Lab will take place from 9 to 12 October 2025 in Brașov, Romania, hosted by EYP Romania.
Additionally, this year, there will be a field-based study trip to Lviv, Ukraine, hosted by EYP Ukraine, from 12 to 15 October, immediately following the Rebuild Ukraine Lab.
We are proud to present this Vision Paper, a testament to the dedication and expertise of our Rebuild Ukraine Ambassadors. This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of five critical areas essential to Ukraine’s sustainable reconstruction. It delves into pressing questions that will shape the country’s future, including:
Our Ambassadors will spend this year presenting their paper’s findings to various stakeholders, including politicians, NGOs, and other civil society actors at key events such as EYE 2025 in Strasbourg, Café Kyiv, and more. We will be sharing insights from their outreach activities, so stay tuned!
Ukraine has been facing the most serious challenge to its security, prosperity, and way of life since post-Soviet independence. Therefore, it is essential that younger voices are integrated into the discussion about the future of their country and its relationship to the European continent as whole since they will be the ones most affected by these decisions. The Rebuild Ukraine Ambassadors offer unique and valuable perspectives to often insular policy debates and, most importantly, they strive to be the agents of change for Ukraine and Europe in the years and decades to come.
War is destructive to existing systems and infrastructures but in the midst of such difficulties they may offer the opportunity for positive change. A sustainable reconstruction process with a long-term focus can enable modernisation, innovation and less dependence on exhaustible natural resources. Such positive change is best enacted in a process that involves young civil society.
Towards a Sustainable Reconstruction of Ukraine: Youth Perspectives from Europe
On July 5th 2023 at the Europäisches Haus in Berlin the ambassadors of 2023 launched their policy paper, “Towards a Sustainable Reconstruction of Ukraine: Youth Perspectives from Europe” in a public event featuring a panel debate with Michael Roth and Nataliya Pryhornytska and exchanges with distinguished guests, including the Deputy Ambassador of Ukraine in Germany, Iryna Samchenko, and Nora Hesse from the Representation of the European Commission.
The ambassadors have also received training in how to advocate for this cause using the events and media platforms of the EYP network to further disseminate their work in the months to come. The paper was also presented to three Members of the European Parliament from different political groups in Brussels in October 2023. Additionally, the Ambassadors shared their vision at the Benelux Youth Forum in The Hague, the Netherlands and YOU:KO 2023 in Cologne, Germany, engaging youths from various European countries and fostering international cooperation. Furthermore, two ambassadors have given a workshop on their visions at the local Berlin European Youth Event in April 2024.
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