On 10–11 July, the OpenDoorUkraine.NL team, together with partners from Rawblox, had the honour of participating in the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome, a key international event dedicated to the recovery of Ukraine.
During the conference, we presented our joint initiative Build Back Bio – a sustainable construction programme using natural materials, which is already being implemented in affected communities. Special emphasis was placed on affordable straw construction as part of an ecological and economic approach to recovery.
Our Build Back Bio team (programme manager Julia Skripka and Rawblox founder Daan Hartge) also had the opportunity to talk with Dutch Prime Minister Minister-president Dick Schoof, present our approaches to reconstruction, and emphasise the important role of partnerships with local communities. In particular, we held a joint discussion with Trostyanets Mayor Yuriy Bova, whose community is a direct beneficiary of the programme. In addition, our stand attracted the attention of distinguished conference participants, including German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US Special Representative for Ukraine Joseph Keith Kellogg. These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities for Ukraine’s sustainable recovery based on practical projects.
The conference also served as a platform for establishing new international contacts. We are sincerely grateful for the interest in our work and are already beginning a dialogue with potential partners from several countries.
The Netherlands’ support for Ukraine’s recovery is not only political but also practical. We appreciate the opportunity to promote joint initiatives in partnership with state, municipal and business structures.
Among the many conference participants, we were one of the few who were able to present examples of existing initiatives – in construction, community coordination and the launch of local production. This experience generated considerable interest among representatives of governments, international organisations and investors.
We would like to thank our partners – Rawblox, Hempire UA, community representatives, diplomats and international colleagues – for their support and trust. We continue to work – step by step – to ensure that Ukraine’s reconstruction is sustainable, inclusive and modern.
Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken
Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO)