On June 11, the Government of Ukraine decided to allocate 115 million UAH for Odessa. The funds will be used for the implementation of the first phase of the accessibility route, which will be the longest in Ukraine, connecting tram and pedestrian pathways.
Overall, the project anticipates over 1.1 billion UAH for 11 pilot communities aimed at creating an inclusive space under the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development's flagship initiative "Movement Without Barriers", supported by First Lady Olena Zelenska.
Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov has declared 2025 as the Year of Accessibility in Odessa, and the city authorities are actively working on creating an accessible environment. The Accessibility Council has been established, alongside a comprehensive program focusing on priorities in infrastructure, transport, rehabilitation, and adaptive sports. All efforts are coordinated by the mayor's advisor, Oleksiy Morozov.
According to Morozov, the success of this initiative is ensured by a strong team, which includes veterans and people with disabilities who help define priorities and oversee project implementations.
"Just a year ago, residents of Odessa couldn’t have imagined that by the summer of 2025, our city would transform into a powerful rehabilitation center. Soon, a fully renovated inclusive beach at the 11th station of the Great Fountain will open, along with an inclusive sports area featuring adaptive equipment. The process is progressing quickly and smoothly," says Morozov.
Within the framework of the "Movement Without Barriers" project, Odessa is implementing the longest inclusive tram route "North-South". Additionally, an inclusive pedestrian route is also in development, with work already underway.
The Accessibility Council conducts regular inspections to verify each stop, pedestrian crossing, building entrance, and route conditions. Project ambassadors, including Valentina Khoruzha, who leads the Youth Council in the city, are involved in this work.
"This coordination allows us to effectively meet the existing needs for accessible infrastructure. It is crucial that from initiative to implementation, it takes weeks rather than years. Projects are not left on paper but are brought to life, and I am very grateful to Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov for his full support of this vital work," emphasized Oleksiy Morozov.
"Movement Without Barriers" is the flagship project of the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development, implemented as part of First Lady Olena Zelenska's initiative "Without Barriers". The project's goal is to create accessible routes in pilot communities: Kyiv, Odessa, Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Ternopil, Lviv, Rivne, Chernivtsi, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Slavutych, Kropyvnytskyi, Bucha, and also in the villages of Opishnya and Borodyanka.
