Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026: CNAUI in Gdańsk

English

Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026: CNAUI strengthens cooperation between Italy and Ukraine

A delegation from the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy (CNAUI) took part in the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, held in Gdańsk and one of the leading international events dedicated to the recovery of Ukraine.

The CNAUI Department of International Cooperation was officially represented by Nicola Losito, of the association Uniti per l’Ucraina APS-ETS (Puglia), and Natalia Nevalenna, of the association ETS Gioia (Abruzzo). The delegates carried out an intensive programme of institutional work aimed at strengthening the network of cooperation between Italian and Ukrainian local authorities, developing new partnerships and building relations with public institutions, international organisations and representatives of the business community.

One of the most important outcomes of the mission was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Regional Development Agency of the Odesa Region and the National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy. The document lays the foundations for long-term cooperation in regional development, post-war reconstruction, international cooperation, attracting investment and European funds, and the development of tourism, culture and the economy. The Memorandum also provides for CNAUI’s involvement in the Agency’s international activities and in joint projects to support the Odesa Region.

At the conference, CNAUI once again confirmed its role as a key partner in the international cooperation of the Ukrainian diaspora in Italy. Since 2023 the Congress has been developing this area systematically through the work of its Department of International Cooperation, headed by Oksana Rohova. In that time it has helped bring about more than 44 bilateral agreements between Italian and Ukrainian authorities, and it officially represents Ukrainian regions and more than 200 territorial communities in Italy.

During the mission in Gdańsk, Nicola Losito took part in the work of the Diaspora Alliance UA, the plenary sessions of the Ukraine Recovery Conference and numerous institutional meetings dedicated to the recovery of Ukraine. Key topics included support for veterans, the development of local and rural communities, cross-border cooperation, educational programmes and investment opportunities.

The delegation also strengthened its cooperation with the administrations of the Kirovohrad, Chernivtsi, Odesa, Vinnytsia, Sumy and Poltava regions, and established new contacts with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and with partners working to develop the Ukrainian education system.

At the same time, thanks to the coordinating work of Natalia Nevalenna, important cooperation agreements between Italian and Ukrainian local authorities were brought to fruition. They include agreements between the Municipality of Pescara and the city of Rivne and the Dnipropetrovsk Region, and between the Municipality of Rapino and the cities of Balakliia and Sarny, as well as a partnership memorandum between the Municipality of Spoltore and the city of Slavutych.

CNAUI’s participation in the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 confirms the Congress’s role as an institutional bridge between Italy and Ukraine, making a significant contribution to building lasting partnerships, developing territorial cooperation and advancing Ukraine’s reconstruction and European integration.

This was CNAUI’s second time at the Ukraine Recovery Conference. The Congress first took part in 2025, when it accompanied six Italian partners as they concluded twinning agreements with Ukrainian cities, helping to strengthen cooperation between local authorities in the two countries.