Good news from our volunteer Zhenya !

After a year of hard work the council has signed a Friendship Agreement with Ukrainian city of Oleksandriya! Although not legally binding, the friendship agreement will provide a framework to establish and strengthen cultural and other community ties, fostering co-operation based on respect, equality and mutual benefit. It will also promote awareness between the two communities and identify environmental, social, cultural, educational, health & wellbeing and other opportunities for joint working.

Councillor Kevin Guy said: “This Friendship Agreement will be an important step in strengthening links between our communities. Bath & North East Somerset Council has consistently stood in solidarity with Ukraine following the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022. Since then, B&NES residents have generously welcomed more than 350 refugees under the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme and the council has played a key role alongside local charities and voluntary groups to help those guests integrate into our communities. This Friendship Agreement will be a commitment to deepen relationships by strengthening and formalising bilateral relationships and promoting co-operation and support between our two councils.”

Oleksandriya is a central Ukraine city with a population of approximately 80,000, located in Kirovohrad Oblast within the Kirovohrad region, roughly 350km from Kyiv.

We know that Zhenya has put an enormous amount of effort to make this happen and are very proud of her work!

We hope that this Agreement will contribute to improving the lives of citizens of Oleksandriya and bring benefits for both cities.