Strengthening Partnerships for Ukraine’s Recovery at ReBuild Ukraine 2025

🇳🇴🇺🇦 Warsaw, November 12–14, 2025 — This year’s ReBuild Ukraine: Construction & Energy brought together thousands of participants from across Europe and beyond, reinforcing the importance of international cooperation in Ukraine’s green recovery and reconstruction.

Norway was represented by its largest national pavilion to date, showcasing the breadth of Norwegian competence, technology, and long-term commitment to rebuilding Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure. NUCC was proud to be an active contributor to several events throughout the week, including a Team Norway networking reception and a business breakfast side event focused on housing, municipalities, and critical infrastructure.

Team Norway Reception

On 12 November, Team Norway hosted an official networking reception in Warsaw ahead of the exhibition opening.
The event began with welcoming remarks from Øystein Bø, Ambassador of Norway to Poland, followed by State Secretary Vegard Grøslie Wennesland and Oleksiy Sobolev, Minister of Economy of Ukraine, who underlined Ukraine’s reconstruction priorities and the critical role of international partnerships.

The reception also featured a high-level panel discussion on Norwegian development financing in Ukraine, moderated by Ketil E. Bøe, Chairman of NUCC’s Board and Partner at Wikborg Rein.

Panelists represented leading institutions in development cooperation:

• Norfund shared lessons learned from investments in Ukraine and perspectives on future engagement.
  
• Norad presented its support for reconstruction, private sector development, and the energy sector.
  
• Fenix Repower showcased outcomes of their Norad-funded feasibility study.
  
• EBRD contributed insights on private-sector participation and financing mechanisms.

The reception provided an excellent platform for dialogue between Norwegian and Ukrainian stakeholders, setting the stage for the official opening of ReBuild Ukraine 2025 the following day.

NUCC extends sincere appreciation to the Embassies of Norway in Poland and Ukraine, NHO, and Innovation Norway for their strong collaboration and contribution to this successful event.

Opening of the Norwegian Pavilion: A Showcase of Commitment and Cooperation

On 13 November, ReBuild Ukraine 2025 officially opened — marking the start of two dynamic days of discussions, networking, and project presentations.

The Norwegian Pavilion, organized by Innovation Norway, featured more Norwegian companies and organizations than ever before, underscoring the growing collaboration between the two countries’ business communities.

The program was led by Elisabeth Meyer, Director of the Division for Tourism and Special Projects at Innovation Norway, and featured opening remarks by:
🎙️ Vegard Grøslie Wennesland, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway
🎙️ Roman Andarak, Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine
🎙️ Lars Ragnar Aalerud Hansen, Ambassador of Norway to Ukraine
🎙️ Ketil E. Bøe, Chairman of NUCC’s Board and Partner at Wikborg Rein

Following the ceremony, guests were invited to tour the pavilion, meet Norwegian exhibitors, and witness the signing of several important cooperation agreements, including:
🤝 NEFCO & Lviv City Council – Rehabilitation of the Oriyana Lyceum in Lviv (€5.6M project, incl. €5M Norwegian grant)
🤝 NEFCO & Chortkiv City Council – Modernisation of a school in Bila village (€4.5M project, incl. €3.2M Norwegian grant)
🤝 SINTEF & SUP (Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs) – Establishment of the Norwegian–Ukrainian Building and Construction Hub
🤝 Fleksiihus AS & Delta House – Cooperation on sustainable housing and modular construction projects
🤝 Malthe Winje Infrapower & Rivne Regional State Administration – Development of small hydropower and energy infrastructure

Additionally, two new initiatives were presented:
🌍 Blaho for Communities, a digital platform developed by Itera and EpicentrK to enhance transparent aid and local recovery;
⚡ Lviv Regional Administration & Malthe Winje Infrapower AS – A cooperation to develop small hydropower and strengthen regional energy resilience.

The opening concluded with networking, light food, and informal mingling — highlighting the spirit of partnership and optimism driving the reconstruction effort.

NUCC Business Breakfast: Building Partnerships from the Ground Up

The second day, 14 November, began with the NUCC Business Breakfast side event, attended by over 50 participants from Norwegian and Ukrainian companies, local authorities, and development institutions.

The breakfast, hosted by Anastasiia Antonyk from NUCC, focused on housing, municipalities, and critical infrastructure and opened with welcome remarks from State Secretary Vegard Grøslie Wennesland (Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries).

Two business cases set the tone for practical discussions:
🏗️ NOCON – Svitlana Svyrydenko, Advisory Board Member | Strategic Advisor
🏘️ Vlasne Misto – Yaroslav Korniachenko, General Director

The morning’s highlight was a panel discussion moderated by Lars Ragnar Hansen, Norway’s Ambassador to Ukraine, featuring:
• NEFCO – Julia Shevchuk, Chief Investment Advisor
• Odesa Regional Development Agency (ORDA) – Tetiana Uzhviy, Chief of Investment Office
• Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (SUP) – Kateryna Glazkova, Executive Director
• NOCON – Trånd Håkon Olsen, Owner / Strategic Advisor

The discussion explored how to identify and connect with reliable local partners, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and trust as key elements for effective cooperation in reconstruction projects.

NUCC extends heartfelt thanks to all speakers and participants for contributing to an inspiring and forward-looking conversation.

A Strong Norwegian Presence for a Common Goal

Across three days, Norway’s presence at ReBuild Ukraine 2025: Construction & Energy demonstrated the country’s growing role in supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction — through investment, knowledge transfer, and sustainable partnerships.

NUCC is proud to have contributed to strengthening these ties and remains committed to promoting Norwegian–Ukrainian cooperation in energy, construction, and beyond.

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