In Rome, during the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2025), Ukraine’s Ministry for Communities and Territories Development and Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a package of decisions that mark a new stage in the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the Italian Republic.
The agreements cover funding for key areas of recovery: agricultural infrastructure, cultural heritage sites, medical institutions, housing programs, and enabling Ukraine’s access to Italy’s financial mechanisms. The focus is on systemic solutions that meet the needs of communities.
“During URC2025 in Rome, we reached important agreements that will strengthen our on-the-ground efforts. Italy is one of those partners whose support takes a clear practical form. This includes funding for irrigation in agricultural regions, restoration of cultural institutions in Odessa, development of medical infrastructure, and compensation for people who lost their homes. We now have access to new financial tools that can help communities implement large-scale infrastructure projects. This kind of cooperation responds directly to real needs. It’s recovery based on trust, transparency, and shared responsibility,” said Minister Kuleba.
One of the priority areas is Odessa region. With the support of the Italian government, two grant agreements were signed:
- €6 million – for the reconstruction of two irrigation systems in Odessa region. This will improve agricultural efficiency in southern Ukraine, stabilize water supply, and reduce resource losses in arid areas.
- €33.5 million – for the restoration of six cultural heritage sites in Odessa, including the Odessa Regional Philharmonic, the Art Museum, the Museum of Western and Eastern Art, and the Literary Museum. These are iconic institutions that play a vital role in preserving the region’s cultural identity.
Preparations are also underway to finance the construction of a new wing for the regional children’s hospital in Odessa, as part of a comprehensive project to create a modern medical hub in the South. The project includes hospital infrastructure development, equipment procurement, energy resilience measures, and the construction of bomb shelters.
Agreements were also reached to support the national eRestoration program. Under a joint declaration by Ukraine’s Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, Italy’s Foreign Ministry, and the Council of Europe Development Bank, €100 million will be allocated for compensating destroyed homes due to the war.
Another key document is the Memorandum of Understanding on Ukraine’s access to Italy’s financial mechanisms. It includes:
- insurance coverage of up to 100% for banks on export credits totaling up to €1.5 billion;
- blended financing mechanisms for community projects (combining concessional loans and grants);
- support for the purchase of Italian goods and services for recovery needs — with a focus on infrastructure solutions and technologies.
The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine continues working to ensure that these agreements are quickly implemented as practical projects on the ground — with a focus on communities in urgent need of support.
The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2025), held on July 10–11 in Rome, is a key milestone in international support for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Over 4,000 participants are attending, including heads of state and government from more than 100 countries and international organizations, top EU leadership, the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine, senior officials from Austria, the UK, Denmark, Libya, Malta, the Holy See, and other nations. Ministers of foreign affairs, economy, finance, and energy from across the globe — from Europe to Latin America — as well as representatives of international organizations, financial institutions, business associations, and civil society are also present. URC2025 is not just a platform for discussing recovery, but a symbol of Ukraine’s irreversible European path and shared responsibility for Europe’s security and development.
