2025 activity report

No. 1346 · 24.06.2025

A national town-twinning programme. A structured partnership programme between Italian and Ukrainian communities: cultural exchange, administrative cooperation, joint projects. Announced in sitting no. 319.

No. 1584 · 15.12.2025

Protecting children with disabilities who are war refugees. Urgent measures for children with disabilities who are asylum seekers or beneficiaries of international protection. Announced in sitting no. 369.

January

Strategic advocacy initiatives

• A petition on breaches of the Geneva Conventions concerning Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages was drafted and submitted to the UN.

11.01

A Ukrainian House opens in Milan
SupportUAchildren APS, a CNAUI member association, formally opened the Ukrainian House in Milan — a new cultural and community space for Ukrainians.

14.01

Interregional cooperation with Ukraine — Ternopil – Rome
A cooperation memorandum was signed between the CNAUI and the Ternopil regional administration. It was signed by the head of the administration, Viacheslav Nehoda.

19.01

Rivne – Rome
A cooperation memorandum was signed with the Rivne regional administration. It was signed by the head of the administration, Oleksandr Koval.

22.01

Ukraine’s Unity Day — a nationwide initiative
The CNAUI ran the nationwide “Chain of Unity” initiative in cities across Italy.
Associations taking part in the flash mob:

• Svitanok (Lametsia Terme – Crotone)
• Uniti per Ucraina–Ischia APS (Isola d’Ischia)
• LILEA (Firenze)
• S.Me.Re.Ca APS (Reggio Calabria)
• Uniti per l’Ucraina (Bari)
• Comunità ucraina di Taranto (Taranto)
• Regala un sorriso–UKR APS (Cardano al Campo, VA)
• Sostieni l’Ucraina (Trapani e Mazzara del Vallo, Sicilia)

22.01

Education and culture events — online discussion “Preserving identity and a culture of reading”
Participants:
Topics: the role of books abroad, children reading in the digital age, working with archives.

• Nadiika Pototska, ambassador for effective reading
• Ivan Svarnyk, director of the Lviv Regional Universal Scientific Library

07.02

Education meetings in Italy — Crotone
Representatives of APS Svitanok met students of the Guido Donegani technical institute to talk about Ukrainian culture and contemporary history.

11.02

Cultural diplomacy — Rome
The CNAUI culture department (head: Tetiana Snurnytska) organised meetings with the painter Ivan Marchuk.

12.02

Historical research — online
Lecture “Ukrainians in Italy”.
Guest: Yurii Klymchuk, historian.
Subject: the part Ukrainians played in the Italian Resistance.

18.02

International advocacy — Brussels, European Parliament
CNAUI President Lara Levchun took part in the conference “The faces of Russian captivity”, organised by Ukraine’s Mission to the EU, the ECR group, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and the European Policy Centre.
The conference saw the presentation of the petition to the UN, prepared by the CNAUI strategic communications department, calling for the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilian hostages and deported children.

20–27.02

The “Unbreakable Ukraine. March of Resilience” project
A nationwide campaign for the anniversary of the invasion:

• one shared slogan and set of messages;
• support for the petition to the UN;
• 15 associations taking part;
• the support of Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella.

07.03

The Italian Parliament — Rome, Chamber of Deputies
The conference “A bridge for Ukraine’s recovery”, with:

• Luciano Ciocchetti, member of the Italian Parliament;
• representatives of the Rivne, Ternopil, Zaporizhzhia and Odesa regions.

March

The “Voice of the Unbroken” project
A series of interviews and stories of former prisoners of war was launched, with Italian translations. The pieces are circulated in the media.

08.03

Memoranda with Ukrainian communities and administrations — European Commission, Rome
Memoranda were signed between the CNAUI and:

• the town council of Pivdenne (Odesa region)
• the Dniprorudne military administration
• the Tokmak union of industrialists and entrepreneurs “Potentsial”
• the “UA Free” charitable foundation

01.03

Cultural events — Milan, Ukrainian House
Launch of Maryna Shvartsman’s books “What angels dream of” and “People of victory. Conan”.
Maksym Kozmenko’s photo exhibition “The war we live in”.

March

Calabria
“Shevchenko Day” — cultural and educational events in Soverato, Cosenza, Lamezia Terme, San Marco, Crotone and Reggio Calabria.

27.03

Promoting the Ukrainian word — online meeting
Guest: Tetiana Vyhovska, editor-in-chief of the “Chas zmin inform” publishing house.
Subject: book volunteering and the growth of Ukrainian publishing during the war.

02.04

Themed event “Ukrainians in the partisan Resistance in Italy”
A historical discussion devoted to the lesser-known pages of shared Italian-Ukrainian history and to the Ukrainian contribution to the Resistance of 1943–1945.

02.04

A cooperation memorandum was signed between the CNAUI and Manageritalia

14.04

Launch of the international campaign “A one-day fast in support of our prisoners of war”
The aim was to draw the world’s attention to the plight of Ukrainian captives and to give them moral support. The campaign ended on 6 December.

21.04–04.05

4 May — research visit to Italy by the historian Yurii Klymchuk
Accompanied by the CNAUI, the programme included:

• visits to the burial places of Ukrainians who died for Italy’s freedom;
• online meetings with academics;
• contact with the families of the fallen;
• collecting material for further research.

10.05

Pagliano (Lazio) An art exhibition by Halia Mykhailychenko, with the local community and cultural partners.

10.05

Rovereto A presentation of works by Ukrainian artists, curated by Anna Teslia, on identity, resilience and cultural dialogue.

29.06

2025 — Rome Taking part in the Rome Jazz Festival. The festival included a special art display combining contemporary Ukrainian art and musical improvisation. Curated by Nataliia Tkach

11.07

2025 — the virtual exhibition “Salone delle Colonne” (on the margins of URC2025) The National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy presented a digital display of works by Ukrainian artists, created specially for the international audience of the Ukraine Recovery Conference.

24.08

2025 — an art performance during the 12-hour telethon for Ukraine’s Independence Day. With 12 Ukrainian artists

August

the young artists’ project “Un piccolo miracolo di colori” started. An art project growing out of “Un ponte di colori”, meant to involve young artists from Ukraine and Italy as well. Curated by: Liudmylka Horbachyk

26–28.09

Chiusi hosted an exhibition of 13 artists from Ukraine and Italy. Curated by: Giacomo Terracciano and Daria Lazarenko.

10.11

2025. (Cafe Letterario) Peace Week in Rome. Ukraine was represented by 13 artists of the project. Curated by: Daria Lazarenko. Speaker: Nataliia Morzhuk

19.11

2025 — the exhibition “Peace through the eyes of Ukrainian artists” at the forum “Save the children. Save the future”. Plus a powerful performance: painting an emotion live at the European Parliament office in Rome. Curated by: Olena Hromova and Liudmylka Horbachyk.

30.04

Chernivtsi – Rome
A cooperation memorandum was signed between the CNAUI and the Chernivtsi regional council.
It was signed by the chair of the regional council, Oleksii Boiko.

March

квітень
The “Pysanka of Unity” project: meetings, webinars and workshops

06.05

Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
An official meeting and the signing of a cooperation memorandum (awaiting ratification by the head of the region).

06.05

Bukovel, Ukraine
A cooperation memorandum was signed with the Cherkasy regional military administration.

07.05

Seminar “The partisan movement: historical parallels”
An analytical update of the data on the Ukrainian contribution to the European Resistance.

14.05

Vatican
A general audience of Pope Leo XIV with the faithful of the Eastern Catholic Churches.
The CNAUI was represented by Nataliia Malykh and Oleksandra Kyzov (families of captives, the “Burevii” association, Odesa).
Handed over:

• lists of captives;
• personal appeals;
• symbolic gifts for the Holy Father, through Ukraine’s Embassy to the Holy See.

19.05

Results of the Petro Yatsyk competition announced — CNAUI education department
The results of the second stage of the competition among Italy’s Saturday schools were announced.

22.05

Vinnytsia – Rome
A cooperation memorandum was signed with:
Signatories:

• the Vinnytsia regional military administration;
• the Vinnytsia chamber of commerce and industry;
• the charitable organisation “Berehynia krainy”.
• Andrii Kavunets (regional administration);
• Stepan Lypkan (chamber of commerce);
• Olena Med (the “Berehynia krainy” charity).

25.05

The event “With Ukraine in our hearts” (Calabria)
Participating associations:
the community of Catanzaro.

• Soverato, “Kolos” association;
• Lamezia Terme, “Svitanok” association;
• Reggio Calabria, “S.Me.Re.Ca.” association
• Cosenza, “S.A.L.O” association;
• San Marco, “Solomia” association,
• Crotone, “Svitanok” association;

08.06

Opening of the travelling exhibition of children’s drawings “I draw. I love. I believe”
The exhibition tour:

• 8 June – 4 July — Milan (Ukrainian House)
• 12–30 July — Crotone
• 1–15 August — Soverato
• 20–27 August — Ischia
• 1–16 September — Mantua
• 20–30 September — Reggio Calabria
• 2–16 November — Ferrara
• 18–27 November — Rome (European Parliament office)
• January–February 2026 — Catania (Sicily)

June

The “Free the little birds” group is formed
Its aim is to use art and public presence to draw the world’s attention to Ukrainian hostages.

09.07

Rome
The local government forum “Ukraine – Italy” (URC 2025), organised together with CNAUI partners
More than 100 delegations of Ukrainian and Italian municipalities took part.
Memoranda were signed between:
The CNAUI concluded memoranda with 14 Ukrainian communities.

• Erice ↔ Truskavets
• Trapani ↔ Nizhyn
• Silvi ↔ Trostianets

09.07

Rome
Forum of Ukrainian lawyers “Acting for the future”
Organised by the CNAUI to strengthen legal cooperation between Ukraine and Italy.

10.07

Rome
URC 2025 — the CNAUI delegation takes part
Eight Congress representatives took part in the conference.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture held the panel “Culture and tourism: catalysts of Ukraine’s recovery”.
The CNAUI initiated 5 new cultural partnerships:

• Kherson ↔ Colleferro
• Novovolynsk ↔ Pagliano
• Boryslav ↔ Atri
• Mena ↔ Silvi
• Poltava ↔ Monasterace

23.07

Italy – Ukraine
The intergovernmental telethon “Communities united 99+1”
The National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy initiated a large telethon bringing Ukrainian and Italian communities together to develop municipal partnerships.
Ninety representatives of Ukrainian public administrations took part, along with Ukrainian communities in Italy.

24.08

A 12-hour international telethon, “TOGETHER FOR INDEPENDENCE”
The telethon brought together more than 100 speakers from around the world.
This voice is a force that carries across borders.
Twelve hours of live broadcast to unite Ukrainian communities worldwide!
On air:
Ukrainian public administrations — official CNAUI partners:
Rivne regional administration,
Ternopil regional administration,
Ivano-Frankivsk regional administration,
Chernivtsi regional council,
Vinnytsia regional administration,
Cherkasy regional administration,
Club of Mayors of Ukraine,
the “Dobrobat” civic organisation,
Vinnytsia chamber of commerce and industry,
UMEDA agency,
the “Berehynia krainy” charitable organisation,
the Tokmak union of industrialists and entrepreneurs “Potentsial”,

• Асоціація STUR італійці, які стоять пліч-о-пліч з НАШИМИ за свободу та НЕЗАЛЕЖНІСТЬ
• ASSOCIAZIONE LIBERI OLTRE LE ILLUSIONI APS
• ГО” Велика Данилівка “
• ГО ” Цивільні вільні “
• Спілка українських ветеранів «ПОБРАТИМИ» (Італія)
• Спілка українських митців НКУАІ (Італія)
• LiveArt «Малюю Україну» : одночасне створення картин з подальшим продажем на благодійних аукціонах
• Асоціації Національного Конгресу українських асоціацій Італії (НКУАІ)- Асоціації українців з різних куточків світу
• Волонтери та громадські активісти
• Громадські об’єднання з України
• Італійські асоціації та партнери

31.08

154 municipal and territorial public administrations — The CNAUI’s second teachers’ conference.
The discussion “How Ukrainians can keep their identity abroad”
A panel meeting on the challenges of assimilation, keeping the language alive in families and the role of education.
Launch of the international education project “100×100: Bridges of Education”
The CNAUI officially launched an international programme of educational cooperation between Ukrainian and Italian schools, aimed at supporting children, integrating curricula and developing intercultural dialogue.

12–14.09

The European conference “For freedom and democracy”
The CNAUI took part in the first European conference organised by Pina Picierno’s team.
The CNAUI strategic communications department created the information campaign and organised the trip of representatives of the “Tsyvilni vilni” organisation.
CNAUI President Lara Levchun presented the petition “Where there is listening, peace is born” in defence of Ukrainian children.

20–21.09

Trapani, Sicily
The international local government forum “Ukraine–Italy”
Organised by the Sostieni Ucraina association (Mario Fontana), a CNAUI member.
Ten cooperation memoranda were signed between communities in Sicily and Ukraine, among them:

• Valderice ↔ Novhorod-Siverskyi
• San Vito Lo Capo ↔ Borzna
• Campobello di Mazara ↔ Kholmy
• Santa Ninfa ↔ Hatne
• Paceco ↔ Bakhmach
• Marsala ↔ Pryluky
• Misiliscemi ↔ Sribne
• Buseto Palizzolo ↔ Staryi Sambir

04.10

The methodology seminar “How can Ukrainians keep Ukrainian alive around the world?”
Venue: Mantua (in person and online).
A workshop for teachers of Saturday and Sunday schools.

13–15.10

Brussels
Taking part in the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC 2025)
The CNAUI delegation took part in Europe’s main forum on regional policy, partnership and community development.

15.10

Online meeting for teachers
A step-by-step explanation of how to register educational centres abroad, and a discussion of the Ukrainian studies component.

05.11

The seminar “The Ukrainian studies component in education”
Guest: Tetiana Fedoriv, head of Kalush Lyceum no. 10.

10–12.11

Silvi, Italy
The international cooperation forum “Ukraine–Italy”
Organised by the Gioia association, a CNAUI member.
Partnership agreements were signed between Ukrainian and Italian communities:

• Vasylkiv ↔ Vacri
• Zaporizhzhia ↔ Montesilvano
• Slavutych ↔ Spoltore
• Romny ↔ Giulianova
• Verkhnodniprovsk ↔ Roseto degli Abruzzi
• Pereiaslav ↔ Isola del Gran Sasso
• Petrykivka ↔ Rapino
• Pisochyn ↔ Fara San Martino

19.11

Rome
The interactive forum “Save the children — save the future”
Together with the European Parliament Office in Italy.
Taking part:
Subject: protecting children’s rights during the war.
Project lead: Nataliia Malykh.

• more than 100 Ukrainian communities and regional administrations,
• more than 300 Ukrainian and Italian schools (online).

19.11

Public campaign in support of Serhii Kuznetsov
A flash mob and a one-person picket were held outside Italy’s Ministry of Justice.

20.11

Organiser: Stanislav Shevchenko, head of the CNAUI strategic communications department — A shared online lesson
The “100×100: Bridges of Education” project
The lesson brought together 30 Ukrainian and Italian schools.

20–21.11

Reggio Calabria
Xenia Book Fair — “Voices of the East and the Caucasus”
Organisers:

• the publishing house Leonida Edizioni,
• the CNAUI,
• the S.Me.Re.Ca association (Larysa Vatrych), a CNAUI member,
• partners from the Chernivtsi regional council and the “Bukrek” publishing house.

22.11

The online flash mob “Light a candle of remembrance”
For the day of remembrance of the victims of the Holodomor.
Organiser: the SALO Calabrese association (Cosenza).

26–27.11

Bari, Italy
The international cooperation forum “Ukraine–Italy”
Organised by the Uniti per Ucraina association (Oksana Rohova), a CNAUI member.
Partnership agreements were signed between communities:

• Stryzhavka ↔ Cassano
• Sokyriany ↔ Mola di Bari
• Varash ↔ Conversano
• Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi ↔ Galatina
• Novoukrainka ↔ Adelfia
• Horodenka ↔ Manfredonia
• Stanyshivka ↔ Monasterace
• Duniaivtsi ↔ Cisternino
• Zhmerynka ↔ Trani

26.11

Bari
A memorandum between the CNAUI and the All-Ukrainian Association of Amalgamated Communities
Signed by:

• Oleksandr Korinnyi
• Lara Levchun

27.11

Bari
A memorandum between the CNAUI and the “Disability Rights Union”
Signed by:

• Oleksandr Vozniuk
• Lara Levchun

10.12

Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine

10.12

A cooperation memorandum with the Khmelnytskyi regional military administration — Brussels
Presentation of the “100×100: Bridges of Education” project
At the international summit “Protecting Ukraine’s children: diplomacy, law, justice”
at the premises of the EESC — the European Economic and Social Committee.

29.12

Poltava, Ukraine
A cooperation memorandum with the Poltava regional military administration
Signed by:

• Anton Chubenko (regional administration)
• Oksana Rohova (CNAUI)

December

The “Christmas Together” project, curated by Olha Vakulich, devoted to reviving, passing on and preserving Christmas traditions, combining teaching, research and creative work to keep Ukrainian identity alive in a globalised world
About 1,000 people took part in the project, namely:
houses of culture.
pupils and teachers, artists and associations.
The project included 4 themed workshops with folk craftspeople, ethnomusicologists and Ukrainian and Italian scholars and researchers of tradition:
2025 was a year of genuine solidarity and people’s diplomacy for the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy.
At the centre of our work are people, communities and the living strength of associations — because the whole point of associating is to come together around shared values, to support one another and to create a space where every Ukrainian abroad feels they belong.
In 2025 the Congress’s work was structured and systematic thanks to the active work of the education, culture, international cooperation and strategic communications departments. The Coordination Centre platform (Coordinamento Unitario) grew considerably: new associations and communities joined, strengthening our voice and widening the scope for joint action.
More than 250 Ukrainian public administrations and over 270 Ukrainian schools now work with the Congress, which makes our work genuinely large-scale.
We remain open to partnerships, dialogue and new initiatives, and our social media channels, which bring together more than 30,000 Ukrainians, continue to be a space of unity and mutual support — we write in Ukrainian for Ukrainians, keeping our language, our culture and our identity.

• schools,
• The Christmas Spider
• Pieces for the living Nativity scene
• The Christmas Star
• Singing workshops:
• Getting to know the Christmas repertoire of the Ukrainian lands
• Learning the koliadky and shchedrivky of your own region
• Forming the Christmas vataha (the carollers’ band)
• Christmas theatre: “The Three Kings / The Living Nativity”