On 30 June 2025, the “Cities of Reciprocity” project, financed by the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities (ICC) Programme, began in Lutsk, Ukraine. 

The conference brought together all interested stakeholders, including representatives from partner cities of Pavlohrad and Lublin, other Ukrainian Intercultural Cities (ICC) members, and representatives of civil society organisations, including national minority organisations, from all three partner cities. The Deputy Mayor of Lutsk, Iryna Chebeliuk, opening the conference, stated: “An important part of our work is mutual support and cooperation, as only together can we overcome the challenges our country is facing. I am sincerely grateful to our partners from friendly countries for their assistance to Ukraine in these difficult times – be it in the fields of culture, humanitarian aid, financial support, or other areas. This project we are launching today is about meaningful cooperation.”

Representatives of the ICC Programme also took part in the conference, underlining the importance of continuing work on intercultural inclusion in Ukraine, and the value of the project and its deliverables for the whole ICC network. The work carried out since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in both Ukraine and Poland provides lessons for all ICC members in how to deal with crisis situations and effectively include all residents in local society. 

The cities of Lutsk, Pavlohrad (Ukraine) and Lublin (Poland), and the project will focus on promoting the inclusion of internally displaced persons, especially national minorities and persons with disabilities. Training sessions will be planned with civil servants working in the field, especially to develop skills around psychological and emotional support and mediation. A study visit to Lublin will also be held.