Ukraine: Romanian communities in Chernivtsi, Zakarpattia and Odesa represented by more than 2,800 children at ARC Camps 2026

More than 2,800 Romanian children from Ukraine participated in the ARC Camps 2026

Approximately 2,800 children from Romanian communities in Ukraine, coming from the regions of Chernivtsi, Zakarpattia and Odesa, participated this summer in the ARC Camps 2026, a programme organized by the Department for Romanians Abroad.

This year’s edition, the 17th, is the largest since the programme was launched, bringing together more than 8,200 children from 25 countries.

Ukraine ranks second in terms of the number of participants

According to information presented by Radu Cosma, Director of the Projects and Actions Directorate within the Department for Romanians Abroad, and reported by the Romanian media, the largest number of participants came from the Republic of Moldova, with nearly 3,800 children.

Ukraine ranked second, with approximately 2,800 participants from the three regions where historic Romanian communities are present: Chernivtsi, Zakarpattia and Odesa.

Italy was represented by approximately 900 children, while the remaining participants came from several European and non-European countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Belgium, Portugal, Canada, Armenia, Türkiye, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

Camps organized at eight locations across Romania

This year’s programme took place at eight locations in different regions of Romania, over the course of nine sessions, each lasting one week.

The camps were organized in Bucharest, Bușteni and Straja, as well as in the counties of Neamț, Botoșani, Vrancea and Harghita, and in the Padiș area, on the border between Cluj and Bihor counties.

The implementation of the programme was supported by more than 200 volunteers, who were involved in educational and recreational activities.

Education, culture and Romanian traditions

Depending on the location, the children had the opportunity to discover historical, cultural and religious sites across Romania. The programme included excursions, hiking trips and activities focused on Romanian traditions.

Participants also took part in dance, drawing, pottery and theatre workshops, through which the organizers sought to combine educational experiences with the promotion of Romania’s cultural heritage.

Tourist attractions in the Moldavia region included in the programme

At the camp organized in Botoșani County, the children visited several important sites in northeastern Romania, including the Sućava Seat Fortress, the Voroneț and Putna Monasteries, the “Nicolae Iorga” Memorial House and the Ipotești Memorial – “Mihai Eminescu” National Study Centre.

The programme in Neamț County included visits to Humulești, Neamț Fortress, the Cucuteni Museum and the Bicaz Dam, as well as the Neamț, Văratec and Agapia Monasteries.

International groups bringing Romanian communities closer together

An important objective of the programme was to form mixed groups of participants from several countries. The organizers sought to facilitate communication and the exchange of experiences between Romanian children from the diaspora and those from historic Romanian communities.

Radu Cosma emphasized that, regardless of the country in which they live, the participants are united by the Romanian language, culture and shared values.

Travel support for children from the diaspora

Participation in the programme was also encouraged through the introduction of the possibility of reimbursement of travel expenses, up to a limit of 600 Romanian lei, based on airline or coach tickets.

The measure helped facilitate access to the programme in Romania for children from Romanian communities living abroad.

The 2026 edition concludes on September 1

The 17th edition of the ARC Camps will conclude on September 1, 2026, with the completion of the ninth session.

Through the scale of the programme and the number of participants, this year’s edition confirms the role of the camps in strengthening ties between Romania and Romanian communities abroad, including those in Ukraine.