Italy will provide 63 million euros for three large-scale projects for Odesa region

Italy will finance three large-scale projects in the Odesa region totaling more than €63 million. These are restoration projects related to cultural heritage, healthcare, and agricultural infrastructure.

This was announced by Alyona Shkrum, First Deputy Minister of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine.

According to her, the first agreement provides for a grant of EUR 27.5 million for the restoration of architectural monuments in Odesa. The funds will be used to restore the Odesa Philharmonic (the former New Exchange building), Potocki Palace, Abaza Palace (which now houses the Museum of Western and Eastern Art), and the Literary Museum. The project is aimed not only at preserving cultural heritage but also at creating modern public spaces that will promote tourism.

The second loan agreement provides for the allocation of EUR 30 million on favorable terms: for 20 years, of which the first 10 years are a grace period without repayment, at 0% per annum. The money will be used to build a new building of the regional children's hospital in Odesa. The new building will have 260 beds and eight operating rooms that will meet all modern medical standards. The project has already been included in the DREAM electronic recovery system.

The Italian partners have also paid attention to agriculture: they plan to upgrade irrigation systems in the region, which is crucial in the context of climate change and droughts, as well as for the country's food security. It is planned to attract €6.1 million in grant funds for the reconstruction of irrigation systems in Odesa region.

"These three projects are part of our large package for Odesa region, which we are working on under a Memorandum with Italy ," the statement said.

According to Shkrum, several ministries and agencies worked on the preparation of each of the agreements. All stages - from intergovernmental negotiations, development of regulatory documents, inclusion of projects in the DREAM system to legal support - were carried out in accordance with EU standards and Ukrainian legislation.

The final meeting on the projects was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the Odesa Regional Administration, and the city of Odesa. After all the preparatory procedures are completed, the next step will be the official signing of the agreements during a conference in Rome.

Ірина Глухова