Gemellaggio tra le città di Gravina in Puglia e Leskovac

• Project:
  • Participant: Comune di Gravina in Puglia
  • PIC number: 936988379
  • Project name and acronym: Bridging Cultures and Identities: Gravina in Puglia and Leskovac towards a Shared European Future – B.R.I.C.I.V.E. 
• Event description:
  • Event number: 1
  • Event name: FIRST B.R.I.C.I.V.E. TOWN TWINNING EVENT IN GRAVINA IN PUGLIA – BRIDGING CULTURES AND IDENTITIES
  • Type: Town twinning event; institutional and citizen dialogue; cultural and community exchange.
  • In situ/online: In situ
  • Location: Municipality of Gravina in Puglia, Apulia, Italy.
  • Date(s): 27–29 September 2026: town twinning activities, 26 September 2026: arrival and welcome of the Serbian delegation.
  • Website(s): 
• Participants:
  • Female: 34 — Serbian delegation only. The gender breakdown of Italian direct participants is not available 
  • Male: 18 — Serbian delegation only. The gender breakdown of Italian direct participants is not available
  • Non-binary: n/a
  • From country 1 – SERBIA: 52
  • From country 2 - ITALY: +2000 (Direct participants not separately quantified. Estimated public reach is reported separately below.) 
  • Total number of participants: 52 registered international participants + Italian direct participants not separately quantified.  Estimated public reach: >2,000. 
  • From total number of countries: 2

Overview and objectives

The first B.R.I.C.I.V.E. town twinning event took place in Gravina in Puglia from 27 to 29 September 2026, preceded by the arrival and welcome of the Serbian delegation on 26 September. The event brought together the visiting delegation and the local community within the framework of the cooperation project between the Municipality of Gravina in Puglia and the City of Leskovac.

The event addressed the project’s objectives of promoting intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding and active citizenship through direct contact between people from the two territories. Cultural heritage, education and music provided the main areas through which local identities were connected with reflection on shared European values and future cooperation.

The approach combined the institutional dimension of town twinning with educational and cultural encounters and activities open to the community. The aim was to develop relationships among citizens, schools, cultural organisations and local authorities, without limiting the exchange to a formal meeting between municipal representatives.

Target groups and participation arrangements

The project identified adult citizens aged 18 and above as its target group, with particular attention to university students, young artists, musicians, cultural associations, local stakeholders and members of the community. The participation framework also encompassed adult and older citizens, teachers, representatives of educational institutions, local elected representatives and local authority staff.

Balanced participation of women and men, the inclusion of people with fewer opportunities, accessible communication and non-discrimination were priorities of the approved approach. These priorities were identified as project objectives and were upheld in the composition of the Serbian delegation and in the active participation of Italian participants.

The event combined the presence of an organised international delegation with local participation in educational, cultural and public activities. These different forms of engagement are kept separate in the participation figures, avoiding the treatment of an estimate of public reach as equivalent to a register of individual direct participants.

International delegation and local participation

The Serbian delegation comprised 52 delegates, who attended all three activity days on 27, 28 and 29 September 2026. The delegation consisted of 18 men and 34 women. Its size exceeded the estimate of 45 invited international participants travelling from Serbia approved in the deliverable.

With regard to the local delegation, according to the estimate provided by the Municipality of Gravina in Puglia, well over 2,000 members of the Italian public came into contact with B.R.I.C.I.V.E. through its public information, communication and cultural exchange activities.

These activities took place in the context of the patronal celebrations of Saint Michael the Archangel in Gravina in Puglia. The presence of a wider public during the celebrations provided an opportunity to introduce the twinning initiative and its objectives beyond the organised delegation and the participants in individual project sessions.

The figure of approximately 2.000 people represents an estimate of the public reached, as indicated in the deliverable, rather than a nominal count of unique direct participants. It does not represent the total attendance at the patronal celebrations and does not include online views or social media exposure.

The organisers’ estimate is therefore kept separate from the 52 documented members of the Serbian delegation. It is not added to that number to produce a verified total of 2.052 direct participants.

Programme structure and activities

Arrival and opening arrangements

The arrival and welcome phase on 26 September preceded the three days of town twinning activities. The programme placed the official reception, the presentation of B.R.I.C.I.V.E. and the introduction to the twinning process at the beginning of the exchange.

The opening framework connected institutional cooperation with opportunities for Italian and Serbian participants to meet. The main themes were mutual understanding, solidarity, a sense of European belonging, and the role of citizens and local authorities in sustaining relations between the two communities.

Educational exchange, cultural dialogue and music

The documented activities included the public presentation of the NAO robot by I.I.S.S. “BacheletGalilei” on 27 September. On 28 September, the municipal library “La Casa del Fuorilegge” hosted a conference connecting cultural relations between Apulia and Serbia with European values and active citizenship. The musical workshops also culminated in a joint public concert involving Italian and Serbian students and musicians. On 29 September, the visiting delegation took part in the life of the town during the patronal celebrations.

These activities addressed complementary aspects of the approved approach. The educational contribution connected learning with public engagement; the conference provided a forum for discussing the civic significance of cultural exchange; and the musical work linked group preparation with a shared public performance.

The music component was particularly relevant to the project’s participatory methodology. The approved programme envisaged workshops and rehearsals bringing together Apulian and Serbian traditions, so that the joint performance would provide an opportunity for cooperation rather than a succession of separate national presentations.

The agenda also included artistic activities, exchanges on culinary traditions and an ethnogastronomic workshop. These were identifiable components of the planned programme.

Concluding phase

The programme dedicated the concluding phase to European citizenship, intercultural learning, project communication and future cooperation. The proposed discussion connected participants’ experiences with opportunities to continue exchanges between the two territories.

The delegation’s presence is documented on all three activity days. Daily registration does not, however, establish attendance at every individual session, and this report does not treat an activity as having been independently delivered solely because it appears in the agenda.

The full event agenda is available below: https://37edc9af-5763-425c-be86ad84f13d7b9c.usrfiles.com/ugd/37edc9_0741872699b44be9bf650aea20198348.pdf

Results and European added value 

The documented results include the participation of a 52-person international delegation across the three activity days, a joint musical performance, educational exchange and public discussion connecting cultural heritage with European citizenship.

The European added value lies in the connection between cross-border exchange and local community life. The project used cultural expression as a starting point for cooperation between Italian and Serbian people and institutions. The relationship between workshops, public activities and institutional dialogue provided a framework in which cultural exchange can support a lasting town twinning relationship.

These results concern participation, activities, outputs and estimated public reach. They are not presented as measured increases in knowledge, European belonging or satisfaction, as surveys/interviews are still ongoing and will enable these indicators to be measured and discussed during the second event. 

Follow-up and continuity of cooperation

The framework for continued cooperation identifies exchanges among young people, students, musicians and cultural professionals; reciprocal participation in initiatives organised in the two cities; citizen involvement in future European and intercultural activities; and exchanges of experience between educational and cultural organisations.

The second B.R.I.C.I.V.E. event in Leskovac is intended to provide the Italian community with a reciprocal opportunity to meet in Serbia and further develop the relationships established through the first event.

Institutional cooperation also provides for a Memorandum of Understanding concerning future collaboration and the development of joint projects. The agenda envisaged discussion and joint drafting in Gravina, followed by finalisation and signature during the event in Leskovac.

Maintaining contact and launching further joint initiatives remain follow-up objectives, distinct from the activities already documented. 

Communication, dissemination and visibility

Communication about B.R.I.C.I.V.E. included project information, local media publications, social media content, photographic material and audiovisual coverage. The communication record includes both promotional information and subsequent reports on the encounter between the two communities.

The public information component, delivered in the context of the patronal celebrations, complemented these channels by introducing the project to a wider local audience. The public reached in person is kept separate from online communication, for which no consolidated audience measurement is reported.

The following references document communication about the B.R.I.C.I.V.E. project and its first town twinning event in Gravina in Puglia. They include project information, promotional publications, postevent coverage, institutional communications and audiovisual content. 

1. Focus Europe – Article dedicated to the event

Presentation of the B.R.I.C.I.V.E. project, its target groups, cultural and educational activities, and prospects for continued cooperation between Gravina in Puglia and Leskovac. The article includes a photographic gallery and explains the European and community-based dimension of the exchange. https://www.focuseurope.org/post/b-r-i-c-i-v-e-gravina-e-leskovac-costruiscono-un-ponte-tra-culturegiovani-e-comunit%C3%A0

2. GravinaLife – Instagram: promotional post 

Post entitled “B.R.I.C.I.V.E.: Bridging Cultures and Identities”, dated 25 September 2026. The title, account and date are confirmed by indexed information. The post forms part of the social media promotion of the initiative; its full content remains to be archived. https://www.instagram.com/p/DdtG-f2m7OG/

3. Facebook – Post reported by the coordinator 

Link provided by the coordinator as part of the event’s communication record. The full content, author and publication date remain to be verified and archived. No specific activities or results are attributed EU Grants: Event description sheet (CERV): V1.0 – 01.04.2022 6 to this link pending verification. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18H3VF2zpV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

4. AltamuraLife – Promotional publication 

Article entitled “B.R.I.C.I.V.E.: Bridging Cultures and Identities”, published on 25 September 2026 and labelled “Sponsored”. It presents the project, the participating communities and the planned cultural and musical activities. The publication documents pre-event promotion rather than a retrospective account of implementation. https://www.altamuralife.it/notizie/b-r-i-c-i-v-e-bridging-cultures-and-identities/

5. MateraLife – Promotional republication

Article entitled “B.R.I.C.I.V.E.: Bridging Cultures and Identities”, published on 25 September 2026 and labelled “Sponsored”. It extends the online promotion of the initiative through another local media outlet, presenting the twinning objectives and planned programme. https://www.materalife.it/notizie/b-r-i-c-i-v-e-bridging-cultures-and-identities/

6. Facebook – Additional link reported by the coordinator 

Additional Facebook link included in the source document. Its content, author, publication date and specific relevance to the event remain to be verified. It is retained as a reference without attributing unverified activities or results to it. https://www.facebook.com/share/1epBfNdH1y/?mibextid=wwXIfr

7. Amica9 TV – YouTube video report on the Gravina–Leskovac twinning 

Video report entitled “Gravina and Leskovac, a Cultural Bridge across the Adriatic: the Two Cities Come Together in Piazza Pellicciari”, published on the Amica9 TV YouTube channel. The report provides an audiovisual reference for the media coverage of the encounter between the two communities. The title and publisher have been identified; no specific interviews or statements are attributed without reviewing the full video. https://youtu.be/cvhKOJLL3MM

8. GravinaLife – Post-event report and photographic gallery 

Article entitled “B.R.I.C.I.V.E. un ponte tra Italia e Serbia”, published on 1 October 2026 and identified by the outlet as a press release. It reports on the educational and cultural exchanges, the public conference, the joint musical performance and prospects for continued cooperation. A photographic gallery accompanies the article. This publication provides a post-event account, distinct from the earlier promotional material. https://www.gravinalife.it/notizie/b-r-i-c-i-v-e-un-ponte-tra-italia-e-serbia/

9. MurgiaTime – Announcement of the project and first twinning event

Article entitled “Gravina e Leskovac, culture che si incontrano: al via il gemellaggio europeo B.R.I.C.I.V.E.”, published on 25 September 2026. It introduces the project’s objectives, participating communities, target groups and inclusive approach. The article documents communication preceding the event and explains how cultural exchange can support lasting cooperation between citizens and local authorities. https://www.murgiatime.it/murgia/index.php?Itemid=551&catid=57%3Aeventi&id=22691%3Agravinae-leskovac-culture-che-si-incontrano-al-via-il-gemellaggio-europeo-b-r-i-c-i-ve&option=com_content&view=article

10. GravinaLife – Promotional article on the cultural and musical programme 

Article entitled “B.R.I.C.I.V.E.: Bridging Cultures and Identities”, published on 25 September 2026 and labelled “Sponsored”. It presents the initiative’s cultural, educational and musical programme and the role of town twinning in developing relations between the two communities. It is listed separately from the post-event report under item 8. https://www.gravinalife.it/notizie/b-r-i-c-i-v-e-bridging-cultures-and-identities-1/

11. GravinaLife – Event calendar listing: Gemellaggio Italia–Serbia

Public event listing for the appointment of 28 September 2026, providing information on the cultural conference and musical programme. The listing documents the dissemination of practical information intended to inform the local community and promote attendance at the public activities. https://www.gravinalife.it/eventi/gemellaggio-italia-serbia-1/

12. Municipality of Gravina in Puglia – Facebook post on the conference of 28 September 

Institutional post referring to the conference held on 28 September at the municipal library “La Casa del Fuorilegge”, dedicated to the importance of cultural exchanges. The indexed text provides a reference for the municipality’s communication about this activity. The complete post and associated EU Grants: Event description sheet (CERV): V1.0 – 01.04.2022 7 visual material remain to be archived. https://www.facebook.com/ComunediGravinainPuglia/posts/si-%C3%A8-tenuta-luned%C3%AC-28settembre-presso-la-biblioteca-comunale-la-casa-del-fuoril/1559109042919946/

13. Municipality of Gravina in Puglia – Facebook announcement of the first event 

Institutional announcement presenting the first encounter between the communities, scheduled for 2629 September 2026. The indexed text highlights the involvement of young people, adults, older citizens, students, artists and associations. The post documents the municipality’s promotion of the event; its full content and publication date remain to be archived. https://www.facebook.com/ComunediGravinainPuglia/posts/dal-26-al-29-settembre-2026-il-primoincontro-tra-le-due-comunit%C3%A0-giovani-adulti/1553250003505850/

14. DANTE Alighieri Juzna Srbija, Vranje – Facebook post on the concert

Post referring to the concert in Gravina in Puglia on 28 September 2026. The indexed information identifies the publishing organisation and the concert, providing a reference for communication through a cultural organisation based in southern Serbia. The full post remains to be archived before attributing any further details or statements. https://www.facebook.com/61550551749743/posts/122285271506018391/

15. DANTE Alighieri Juzna Srbija, Vranje – Facebook post on the reception of Serbian school delegations 

Post announcing the welcome given to delegations from three Serbian school communities in Gravina in Puglia. The title and indexed information relate to the educational dimension of the exchange and the reception of the visiting delegations. The complete content and publication date remain to be archived. https://www.facebook.com/61550551749743/posts/delegazioni-di-tre-scolaresche-serbe-accolte-agravina-in-puglia-che-gioia/122284916930018391/

16. Amica9 TV – Facebook dissemination of the cultural exchange report 

Facebook video publication entitled “Gravina e Leskovac: un ponte culturale sull’Adriatico”. The indexed description presents the encounter as bringing together territories, traditions and people. This link documents dissemination through the broadcaster’s Facebook channel; it should not automatically be counted as a separate audiovisual production from the YouTube report listed under item 7. https://www.facebook.com/Amica9tv/videos/-gravina-e-leskovac-un-ponte-culturale-sulladriatico-unincontro-che-unisce-terr/1616991049959327/

17. Amica9 TV – Facebook video dedicated to the concert in Piazza Pellicciari 

Video publication whose title refers to the concert in Piazza Pellicciari and the developing twinning relationship between Gravina and Leskovac. The link provides an additional audiovisual reference concerning the musical encounter. The description is limited to the indexed title and does not attribute specific performances, interviews or statements beyond those verified. https://www.facebook.com/Amica9tv/videos/concerto-in-piazza-pellicciari-che-ha-suggellato-il-legameprossimo-al-gemellagg/1036969222724595/

18. GravinaLife – Additional Instagram promotional post 

Additional Instagram post entitled “B.R.I.C.I.V.E.: Bridging Cultures and Identities”, indexed under the GravinaLife account with the date 25 September 2026. Its permalink differs from the one listed under item 2. It is included as an additional social media reference; the full content should be compared and archived to establish whether it republishes the same promotional material. https://www.instagram.com/p/DdtCK4ym2IW/

19. Instagram – Additional post on the Italy–Serbia exchange 

Post indexed with the title “Gravina in Puglia – B.R.I.C.I.V.E. un ponte tra Italia e Serbia”. It provides an additional reference to online dissemination concerning the exchange. Previously identified as a Murgia24 post, its account attribution, publication date and complete content remain to be confirmed before finalising the communication record. https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd8bwYwIJjt/