Friendship Pact between Sicilian and Ukrainian communities

On 9 July in Rome, the city of Nizhyn signed a cooperation agreement with the Municipality of Trapani.

This is not a mere formality but a genuine partnership: sharing experience, real joint projects, and support for recovery and development. Like many Ukrainian communities, Nizhyn has suffered losses in the war, yet it is determined to create a modern, safe and pleasant place to live. That is precisely why international ties like this one are so valuable.

Joint plans cover education (the University of Trapani and Nizhyn State University), culture, economic development and organising holidays for children. And, most importantly, there is a sincere desire to act.

Two more Friendship Pacts were signed on the same day:
– Erice with the Ukrainian spa town of Truskavets;
– Silvi with the city of Trostianets.

The signing was attended by Anastasiia Bondar, Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine, and the Deputy Head of the Ternopil Regional Military Administration. The mayors were represented by councillors Giuseppe Virzì (Trapani) and Carmela Daidone (Erice), while Mayors Giacomo Tranchida and Daniela Toscano joined remotely by video link.

Also present were delegations from Ukrainian universities and from the Trapani University Consortium, represented by Professor Francesco Torre, to launch academic exchanges of students and teaching staff under the ERASMUS programme.

In addition, the city of Nizhyn signed a separate cooperation agreement with the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy (CNAUI) — another step towards strengthening cultural, educational and humanitarian ties between our countries.

The initiative was carried out with the support of:
– the National Association of Local Authorities of Ukraine;
– the NGO “Dobrobat”;
– the NGO “Friends of Ukraine”;
– the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy (CNAUI);
– the Trapani-based association “Sostieni Ucraina”, led by its President Mario Fontana and Vice-President Olha Muliak.

Special thanks go to the Municipality of Trapani and Mayor Giacomo Tranchida for their openness and initiative, and to everyone who helped establish these important partnerships: Larysa Pochechun, Larysa Levchun, Dmytro Ivanov and the “Dobrobat” team.

From Sicily, a land of hospitality and dialogue, comes a fresh affirmation of support for peace, cooperation and a shared future for Ukraine and Italy.