The city of Ovruch, Ukraine, hosted Stand With Ukraine and Thibaut Guignard, Mayor of Plœuc-l’Hermitage and Vice President of the Saint-Brieuc Armor Agglomeration, for the second time yesterday morning. The purpose of this meeting was to strengthen the partnership between the two cities and outline the next steps for future projects. This visit marks a new phase in a collaboration that has grown stronger over the months through joint initiatives and deep commitment.
The relationship between Ovruch, located in the Zhytomyr Oblast, and the Saint-Brieuc Armor Agglomeration began in March 2023 during the “Lights for Winter” campaign. A video conference held on March 17 brought together Ivan Korud, Mayor of Ovruch, and Thibaut Guignard, Mayor of Plœuc-l’Hermitage, for their first meeting. Just days later, on March 28, a delegation of Ukrainian mayors, including the Deputy Mayor of Ovruch, visited Saint-Brieuc in Brittany to discuss the needs of their communities and potential avenues for collaboration.
In April 2023, Stand With Ukraine and Thibaut Guignard made their first visit to Ovruch. This visit was marked by a warm welcome, reflecting the Ukrainian city’s desire to build a strong partnership with its French counterparts. Since then, the collaboration has materialized in concrete projects, such as a summer stay in France for ten young Ukrainians from Ovruch, who had the opportunity to discover French culture while escaping the harsh realities of war.
Continuing in this spirit, yesterday’s and today’s visit was highlighted by a tangible gesture: the donation of 39 computers to the children of Ovruch, generously provided by the agglomeration and its partner municipalities (Le Foeil, Yffiniac, Trémuson, Trégueux, Quintin, Saint-Carreuc, Plœuc-l’Hermitage, Saint-Julien, La Méaugon, Plérin, Hillion, Plaintel, Saint-Gildas, and Saint-Bihy). These devices will enhance access to education and address essential needs in a context shaped by the destruction caused by war.
During the visit, a cooperation agreement was officially signed between the city of Ovruch and Saint-Brieuc Armor Agglomeration, solidifying their mutual commitment to long-term projects. Additionally, a letter of intent was signed to establish a Local Democracy Agency. This agency, to be created with the support of the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA), aims to promote democratic exchanges, citizen participation, and local cooperation between the two territories.
Over the two days spent in Ovruch, Thibaut Guignard, Vice President of the Saint-Brieuc Agglomeration, and Edward Mayor, President of Stand With Ukraine, had the opportunity to visit the newly rebuilt elementary school, a youth center for gatherings and activities, a medical center offering psychological support to war-affected residents, and a planned physical rehabilitation center for veterans.
The discussions during this meeting also focused on priorities for 2025, including the implementation of new cultural and educational exchanges as well as initiatives centered on reconstruction.
The partnership between the Saint-Brieuc Armor Agglomeration and Ovruch highlights how transnational cooperation can play a critical role in supporting populations affected by war. The projects planned for the future demonstrate the two territories’ shared commitment to building a lasting partnership.
