100×100: Bridges of Education — project presentation

“100×100: Bridges of Education”

Project presentation

An initiative of the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy APS (CNAUI)

Introduction

The project “100×100: Bridges of Education” came about as an initiative of educational and intercultural diplomacy, carried out by the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy APS together with its Departments of Education, International Cooperation and Culture, with the support of public bodies, universities and associations in Italy and Ukraine.

Main objectives

The project’s mission rests on three main objectives:

• ✓To give Ukrainian children the chance to communicate and work together with their Italian peers through cultural exchanges, educational activities and programmes of moral and social rehabilitation, helping them recover from the horrors of war.
• ✓To foster cooperation between schools and municipalities in both countries, laying solid foundations for future partnerships and for school and municipal twinnings.
• ✓To involve Ukrainian citizens living in Italy as cultural mediators in schools, giving them the opportunity to become part of the Italian education system and, in time, to act as links and cooperation managers between the public administrations of Italy and Ukraine.

A small step towards a large network

“100×100: Bridges of Education” is a long-term project designed to grow step by step.

Taking part today means joining an ever-growing European education network, with the chance to build lasting relationships, lay the groundwork for future exchanges and offer pupils unique opportunities to learn and grow.

The project’s initial aim was to pair 100 Italian schools with 100 Ukrainian schools, encouraging the exchange of experience, knowledge, cultures and values.

However, interest from Ukrainian schools has been so strong that more than 240 of them are now taking part, confirming the high demand for cultural and educational partnerships.

The project seeks to build a dynamic and inclusive education network, able to adapt to the needs and resources of schools in both countries and to make the most of every opportunity for exchange, cooperation and shared growth.

How it works

Each Italian school that joins the project will be paired with a Ukrainian partner school.

The partnership will be supported by a Ukrainian cultural mediator living in Italy, who will accompany both schools throughout the project.

The mediator’s name and contact details will be given in the official letter of invitation sent by the Ukrainian school.

The mediator will also be available to present the project and the partner school, in person or online.

Details

• ✓To form 100 pairs of schools (Ukrainian and Italian) that will begin cultural and educational cooperation.
• ✓To introduce the Italian education community to Ukrainian schools, their values, methods and history.
• ✓To give Ukrainian schools the chance to set out on the path towards European integration through local partnerships.
• ✓To mobilise Ukrainian teachers working as mediators in Italy, involving them in coordinating and delivering the project.
• ✓To build cooperation on existing or planned memoranda between the mayors of Ukrainian and Italian cities.

Taking part is easy

Next steps

From December 2025, the “Christmas Together” project will begin,

actively involving Ukrainian and Italian schools in an educational and intercultural dialogue

centred on creativity, communication and the sharing of traditions.

Plans include:

• ✓art, music and language workshops (in person and online);
• ✓making Christmas decorations and exchanging videos and greetings;
• ✓storytelling and interactive readings on the Christmas traditions of both countries;
• ✓meetings between twinned classes.

The initiative will close with a virtual Christmas festival,

showcasing pupils’ work and short artistic performances that demonstrate the first results of the cooperation.

Delivery format

• ✓Setting up a register of schools in both countries interested in taking part.
• ✓Matching partner schools on the basis of geographical, cultural or thematic proximity.
• ✓Holding online meetings, virtual tours, letter exchanges and joint projects (ecology, art, history).
• ✓Organising training seminars for Italian teachers on the Ukrainian education system.
• ✓Involving mediators as coordinators between schools, translators and facilitators.

The main aim of “100×100: Bridges of Education” is to spread intercultural dialogue, strengthen bonds of solidarity and value cultural diversity as an educational asset.

A small step today — towards building a large network of friendship and cooperation between Italy and Ukraine.