International Cooperation Festival
Civilization of Love, Civilization of the Earth - Tenth Edition
About Cooperation Festival
The International Cooperation Festival is a civic and cultural event that brings various towns in Puglia to life every autumn. This year, at least four locations will host the event: Ostuni, the festival's main hub, followed by San Vito dei Normanni and Francavilla Fontana in the Province of Brindisi, and Lucera in the Foggia area. Promoted by AIFO (Italian Association of Friends of Raoul Follereau) and RIDS (Italian Network for Disability and Development), the festival weaves together photography exhibitions, conferences, school meetings, and performances to reflect on human rights, the inclusion of people with disabilities, and the culture of peace. It is a free event open to everyone, where cooperation between peoples becomes a shared experience.
A festival of rights in the heart of Puglia
The International Cooperation Festival is one of the most original civic events in the Province of Brindisi: a widespread festival that every autumn unites various towns in the province of Brindisi and Puglia around the themes of human rights, inclusion, and peace. It is not just a show, but an open civic space where culture and participation become concrete tools for cooperation between peoples.
Who organizes it
The festival is promoted by AIFO (Italian Association of Friends of Raoul Follereau) and RIDS - Italian Network for Disability and Development, coordinated by Dr. Franco Colizzi, and supported by local municipal administrations. Each edition is part of the AIFO Campaign for Inclusion and is aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda Goals, particularly Goal 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.
What to expect during the festival
The program spans several days and takes place in various locations across the towns: public and institutional spaces such as council chambers, public libraries, auditoriums, schools, and town squares. Recurring events include:
- Photography exhibitions dedicated to major contemporary issues, such as rescue operations for migrants in the Mediterranean;
- Conferences and round tables with representatives from international agencies, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and the diplomatic corps;
- Meetings in schools with students and teachers regarding the rights of people with disabilities;
- Performances and community moments, from flag-wavers to traditional Mediterranean dinners from Puglia.
A bridge between the local and the global
What sets the festival apart is its ability to connect the local scale of the Brindisi area with major global issues: in recent years, collaboration agreements have been signed with the Ukrainian town of Kobleve, moving international cooperation from the realm of ideas to concrete actions. For those visiting Puglia in autumn, it is an opportunity to discover a less touristy and more participatory side of Ostuni, San Vito dei Normanni, Francavilla Fontana, and Lucera.
Cooperation Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the International Cooperation Festival marks the event's tenth anniversary and will take place from October 5th to 11th across the towns of San Vito dei Normanni, Ostuni, and Francavilla Fontana in the Province of Brindisi, as well as Lucera in the Province of Foggia. This year's theme is "Civilization of Love, Civilization of the Earth." The detailed program will be unveiled during a press conference scheduled for September 24, 2026, at the Regional Council hall in Bari.
2026 marks the tenth anniversary of the International Cooperation Festival, which will be held from October 5 to 11, 2026, across San Vito dei Normanni, Ostuni (main venue), Francavilla Fontana (Province of Brindisi), and Lucera (Province of Foggia).
The theme chosen for this edition is "Civilization of Love, Civilization of the Earth." The detailed program has not yet been released; it will be presented at a press conference in Bari at the end of September 2026. Updates regarding venues and events will be shared by AIFO, RIDS, and on the festival's official Facebook page.
Programme Cooperation Festival 2026
The detailed program for this edition has not yet been released. It will be announced at a press conference on September 24, 2026, in Bari and subsequently shared through the festival's official channels (AIFO, RIDS, and Facebook page). A launch poster featuring the main themes of this edition has already been released.
Prices Cooperation Festival 2026
Practical information — Cooperation Festival
Where it takes place
The festival is centered in Ostuni, but also involves San Vito dei Normanni and Francavilla Fontana in the Province of Brindisi, and Lucera in the Province of Foggia: venues and the program for the various stages will be announced on the festival's official channels.
How to get there
By car: take the SS379 Brindisi-Bari expressway, exiting at San Vito dei Normanni or Ostuni. By train: San Vito dei Normanni station on the Brindisi-Taranto line, or Ostuni station on the Adriatic line. Nearest airport: Brindisi-Salento (approx. 25 km).
Admission
All events are free and open to the public. Reservations may be required for conferences and school meetings.
Info
Updates on the program and venues are available on the festival's official Facebook page and AIFO channels.
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Published by Valentin Contard, festival listings writer. Reviewed, corrected and approved by Christophe Contard, editor-in-chief. .
Where does it take place — Cooperation Festival
OSTUNI, varie sedi (biblioteca comunale, Centro di spiritualità, Banca di credito cooperativo, Salone comunale)