In Rome, within the framework of the international initiative "Friends of Ukraine," the Local Governance Forum "Ukraine – Italy" took place. The event became an important platform for dialogue between representatives of Ukrainian and Italian communities aimed at strengthening cooperation, exchanging experiences, and implementing joint projects.
The forum was attended by representatives of governments, parliaments, ministries, international and public organizations, financial institutions, businesses, local government bodies, and civil society from both Ukraine and Italy.
During the event, Deputy Minister for Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine Oleksiy Riabikin delivered a welcoming speech and thanked international partners for their steady support in community development.
“We highly value the help of our Italian partners and friends. Ukraine is holding strong — and not alone. We have gathered here not just to discuss, but to jointly seek practical solutions. Inter-municipal cooperation is not just a form of interaction, but a real mechanism for recovery, unity, and development,” Oleksiy Riabikin emphasized.
Participants discussed key areas of cooperation between communities, including decentralization, active community participation in rebuilding processes, attracting investments, and developing cultural and educational projects.
Special attention was given to inter-municipal cooperation. Participants noted that joint actions and pooling resources enable communities to respond more effectively to challenges caused by Russian aggression. This form of partnership strengthens community resilience, fosters unity, and ensures sustainable development in difficult conditions.
At the end of the forum, communities from the two countries signed 14 partnership memorandums, opening new opportunities for experience exchange, resource mobilization, and coordination of actions at the international level.
