On 24 February 2022, war returned to the heart of Europe with the invasion of Ukraine. Four years on, the Sala Stucchi at Palazzo Trissino welcomed an important event hosted by Comune di Vicenza, ALDA, and CSV Vicenza, and dedicated to the organisations and individuals who have stood alongside Ukraine and its people since the outbreak of the conflict.
The event opened with remarks from the Mayor of Vicenza, Giacomo Possamai, who expressed his gratitude to the many local organisations and citizens who, over the past four years, have worked tirelessly in support of the Ukrainian population. He reiterated the urgent need to pursue a just peace, one that does not bend to the logic of war, but instead places the dignity of human beings at its centre.
The Mayor also recalled the City of Vicenza’s pact of friendship with the Ukrainian city of Zhytomyr – made possible through ALDA’s longstanding role in bringing local authorities together across Europe and beyond, as well as the network established with Ukrainian mayors. Such relationships, he stressed, are essential to ensure that a population enduring immense suffering does not feel isolated.
Speaking on behalf of ALDA, Vice Secretary General Marco Boaria recalled that the organisation was itself born in the aftermath of conflict in the Balkans, with a mission to rebuild trust, democratic institutions and local governance in war-torn societies. That origin, he stressed, explains why ALDA today feels a particular responsibility to support Ukraine.
“We would have wished to celebrate something different today, yet instead we find ourselves working within a conflict, while holding firmly to an idea of the future.”
His words resonate all the more strongly as ALDA’s Secretary General, Antonella Valmorbida, is currently on mission in Ukraine. At the heart of this engagement stands ALDA’s flagship initiative in the country, with the opening of six Local Democracy Agencies aimed at fostering structured cooperation between local authorities, civil society and international partners, and ensuring that reconstruction efforts are participatory and grounded in democratic values.
ALDA’s strong commitment to Ukrainian reconstruction is rooted in its founding experience: lasting peace depends not only on rebuilding infrastructure but also on restoring relationships, strengthening communities, and ensuring democratic participation. “Bridges are essential,” he emphasised, “between citizens and institutions, and between Ukraine and its European partners”.
In this spirit, ALDA will soon formalise its registration in Kyiv, reinforcing a long-term presence in the country. Its work remains grounded in the conviction that renewal begins at the local level, and that from strong local democracies a just and durable peace can emerge.
The Vice President of CSV Vicenza (#ALDAMember), Maria Grazie Bettale, and the Director, Maria Rita Dal Molin, then recounted the extraordinary mobilisation of institutional and civil society actors across the territory. Through coordinated efforts, buses were arranged to welcome 440 people fleeing Ukraine, offering not only shelter but also a network of solidarity and practical support.
The morning continued with a moment of profound symbolic significance. Under the guidance of Maestro Giuliano Fracasso, and with the voices of Alessandra Caruccio and Anhelina Dolhova, the national anthems of Italy and Ukraine were performed. The music lent both solemnity and emotion to the occasion, setting the tone for the personal testimonies that followed.
Anastasiia Buslaieva, ALDA’s Ukraine LDA Coordinator, was the first to speak. “My family and I had to flee Ukraine. It was the toughest decision, yet we found out there are so many good people out there,” she said, expressing her gratitude. “The work carried out in Vicenza allows us to build a future in a safe place and to remain useful for our families in Ukraine.” Her words encapsulated the spirit of resilience and mutual support that has characterised these four years.
Families who had welcomed Ukrainian guests into their homes, alongside those who had been received, shared reflections on the opportunities for reciprocal growth that such encounters have created. Their experiences illustrated how solidarity, when rooted in genuine human connection, can help build a society oriented towards peace.
Four years after the outbreak of war, the message from Vicenza was clear: solidarity must not falter, and the pursuit of a just and lasting peace remains both a moral imperative and a collective responsibility.
