After more than four months of negotiations, Ukraine and Italy are set to finalize a series of restoration and infrastructure projects aimed at rebuilding the Odessa region. The agreements will be signed at the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025, which will take place in Rome.
This was informed by the First Deputy Minister at the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, Alyona Shkrum.
The Ministry for the Restoration of Ukraine announced that three major agreements are ready for signing, following extensive inter-agency coordination with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, the Odesa Regional Administration, and the Odesa City Council.
1. €27.5 million grant for the restoration of architectural landmarks in Odessa
This cultural heritage project will support the restoration of several key sites, including the Odessa Philharmonic (formerly the New Stock Exchange), the Potocki Palace (Odesa Fine Arts Museum), the Abaza Palace (Odesa Eastern and Westen Art Museum), and the Odessa Literary Museum.
Beyond preserving heritage, the initiative aims to boost tourism and improve the quality of public spaces, making them more accessible and attractive to both locals and visitors.
2. €30 million concessional loan for a new regional children's hospital
The second agreement involves a long-term, interest-free loan to support the construction of a new building for the Odesa Regional Children’s Hospital. Under the DREAM system, the project will deliver 260 beds and 8 state-of-the-art operating rooms that meet modern European healthcare standards. The financing terms include a 20-year repay ment period with a 10-year grace period.
3. €6.1 million grant for irrigation infrastructure in Odessa region
The third project focuses on the modernization of irrigation systems in response to worsening droughts and climate change. This investment is critical for supporting agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in southern Ukraine.
These three projects are part of a broader Odessa-focused package being developed under a Memorandum of Understanding between Ukraine and Italy.
All technical details have been agreed upon, and the final preparations for signing are underway. The Ministry emphasized the strategic significance of these projects—not only for reconstruction but for long-term regional development and resilience.
