Human capital development and support for small and medium-sized enterprises are strategic priorities in Ukraine’s recovery. Among those working on these systemic changes is Roksolana Smerechynska, an international governance specialist and participant in the #CreateUkraine programme.
Roksolana returned to Ukraine through Create Ukraine to contribute to real transformations in the public sector. Within the team of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, she focused on socio-economic issues, human capital development and entrepreneurship support.
Before working in government, she lived in France and combined experience in marketing, the public sector and diplomacy. She interned at the Anti-Corruption Headquarters and the OSCE, earned a Master’s degree in International Management and Diplomacy at Sciences Po, and worked at the Permanent Representation of Ukraine to the EU during the period when the European Commission recommended beginning negotiations on Ukraine’s EU accession.
At the Ministry of Economy, Roksolana:
- studied the factors influencing the return of Ukrainians and developed approaches for their reintegration;
- coordinated support for small and medium-sized enterprises through the SME Alliance and reskilling programmes via Skills Alliance — platforms connecting international partners with government institutions;
- launched a training grant programme for young entrepreneurs, providing funding to develop skills for starting and growing their own businesses;
- shaped systemic approaches to human capital and entrepreneurship development, contributing to the reskilling of over 270,000 people, support for 290,000 SMEs, and the creation of 330,000 jobs.
For Roksolana, Create Ukraine became a platform to combine her international experience with a commitment to working for her home country.
“The people I met through Create Ukraine have become friends and like-minded colleagues. This environment inspires and gives the strength to move forward, even when challenges are significant,” says Roksolana Smerechynska.
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.
