Odesa–Bari Forum: Community Partnership and New Humanitarian Initiatives
On 16 January 2026 Bari hosted an international forum attended by the state administration and representatives of the city of Odesa, the Municipality of Bari, the Puglia Region, the Port of Bari and the Ukrainian community in Italy.
The event was organised by the CNAUI Department of International Cooperation, headed by Oksana Rohova, together with members of the association “Uniti per l’Ucraina”.
The forum aimed to strengthen cooperation between Ukrainian and Italian institutions, develop humanitarian and educational programmes and build new partnerships through people-to-people diplomacy.
Meeting at Bari City Hall
As part of the forum, a delegation from Odesa led by Serhii Lysak, Head of the Odesa City Military Administration, held an official meeting with the Mayor of Bari, Vito Leccese.
The two sides:
- – began the process of twinning the cities of Bari and Odesa;
– discussed the possibility of welcoming Ukrainian children to a psychological rehabilitation programme as part of the “100×100: Bridges of Education” project;
– confirmed their readiness to continue humanitarian and cultural cooperation.
Round table with representatives of the Puglia Region and the municipal administration of Bari
A substantive discussion was held with representatives of the Puglia Region, the “Cooperazione Euro-Mediterranea” (Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation) office and the heads of departments of the regional administration.
Positive outcomes:
- – representatives of the Puglia Region proposed formal cooperation within Euro-Mediterranean partnership programmes;
- – the head of department, Giuseppe Rubino, confirmed his readiness to work together;
- – Dr Fabrizio Contento presented the CIHEAM projects already under way.
Partnership between the ports of Bari and Odesa
At a separate meeting with the President of the Port of Bari, Francesco Mastro:
- – work began on setting up a joint working group between the ports of Bari and Odesa;
– priorities for cooperation were identified in port diplomacy, youth programmes and humanitarian projects.
Participation of the Consul General of Ukraine
At the invitation of the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy, the meetings were attended by the Consul General of Ukraine in Naples, Maksym Kovalenko.
The presence of the diplomatic mission lent the meetings official support and underlined the importance of developing international partnerships in support of Ukraine.
The forum in Bari was an important step in strengthening cooperation between Ukrainian and Italian communities.
The National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy continues to work on:
- – developing lasting partnerships between cities in Ukraine and Italy;
– supporting Ukrainian children and educational institutions;
– promoting humanitarian and cultural initiatives;
– expanding international cooperation at community level.
The signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy and the administration of the city of Odesa was an important step towards building lasting ties between Ukrainian communities abroad and local government in Ukraine.
The document sets out a shared commitment to developing humanitarian programmes, cultural projects, educational initiatives and partnerships between the regions of Ukraine and Italy.
The Congress President, Lara Levchun, and Serhii Lysak, representing Odesa, stressed that the Memorandum is a tool for long-term, systematic work.
The National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy is building a model of cooperation based on the structured work of its departments, clear coordination and multi-level partnerships.
The Congress President, Lara Levchun, coordinates the organisation’s work and ensures steady communication with the various regions of Italy and Ukraine. It is precisely this method — regularity, transparency, a firm institutional footing — that makes the Congress an effective partner for city administrations, regional councils and civil society organisations.
16 photos
