The war has made public communications critically important: they build trust among Ukrainians and international partners, explain reforms, and strengthen Ukraine’s position on its path to the EU. Stanislava Kruhlian, an international relations specialist and participant in Create Ukraine, knows how to craft effective messages and build strategic communications.
Having studied at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and the London School of Economics, Stanislava returned to Ukraine to implement practical change at the governmental level. Her journey to the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine began through the Create Ukraine programme.
Even before participating in the programme, Stanislava had interned at the Department of State Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, where she managed communications with embassies, prepared high-level visit programmes and accompanied international delegations. It was there that her main professional aspiration formed: to serve the state and work in an international environment.
Through Create Ukraine, Stanislava joined the press centre team of the Ministry of Economy — an area that presented unexpected challenges while offering the opportunity to influence Ukraine’s international visibility. She provided communications support for key state initiatives, including:
- preparing briefings, articles and materials for Ukrainian and international media;
- organising the presentation of Ukrainian business resilience stories at Expo 2025 in Japan;
- contributing to communications support for the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome, enhancing trust in Ukrainian reforms;
- developing the Ministry’s digital channels, including launching its official LinkedIn page.
Outside of public service, Stanislava is part of the non-governmental organisation Brave Generation, which prepares young Ukrainians for the post-war reconstruction of the country.
“From my experience with Create Ukraine, I have learned that there is one common trait in public institutions — the people here clearly see the purpose of what they do,” shares Stanislava Kruhlian.
Today, Stanislava works at the EU Delegation, focusing on Ukraine-related matters, including European integration and coordination of donor assistance. Her story illustrates how Ukrainians with international experience return home to strengthen public institutions and influence the country’s development.
The Create Ukraine pilot project is co-financed by the European Union and the Government of Lithuania under the EU4Youth programme, which aims to support young people. The project is managed by the Lithuanian organisation Central Project Management Agency and implemented by 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.
