Iryna Volokha, an international communications specialist and a participant in the Create Ukraine programme, returned to Ukraine to contribute to key economic transformations. After joining the team of the Ministry of Economy, she focused on international communications and the strategic positioning of Ukraine on the global stage.
Prior to her work in government, Iryna gained extensive experience in international consulting, legal projects and Canadian companies. She also founded Eduwest, a Ukrainian–Canadian company that combines educational and publishing solutions.
Iryna is convinced that effective government communications must demonstrate tangible reform outcomes to people. The key to this lies in plain language and storytelling — tools that make even complex transformations understandable and visible.
During her work at the Ministry of Economy, Iryna:
- was responsible for international communications, content development and event organisation;
- launched the Economic Intelligence Digest — the ministry’s first English-language digest, which is regularly read by diplomats, ministers and analysts worldwide;
- delivered the Soul of Soil 2.0 project in New York, where a single masterclass helped raise more than $75,000 in support of Ukraine;
- increased the visibility of key ministry programmes for veterans, international delegations and donors.
For Iryna, participation in Create Ukraine became an opportunity to apply her international experience within the public sector, help build trust and strengthen Ukraine’s strategic communications at the international level.
“Participation in Create Ukraine gave me the opportunity to apply my international experience in the public sector, strengthen Ukraine’s strategic communications and build trust at the international level,” notes Iryna Volokha.
Create Ukraine is co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Lithuania within the framework of the EU4Youth programme, aimed at supporting young people. The project is managed by the Lithuanian organization Central Project Management Agency and implemented by the KSE Foundation at the Ministry of economy, environment, and agriculture of Ukraine.
As part of the project, 10 young professionals with international experience have returned to Ukraine. In this series of stories, we highlight the work, achievements and impact of each of them on the country.
