On June 11, the Ukrainian government decided to allocate 115 million UAH for Odesa. This funding will be used to implement the first phase of the barrier-free route, which will become the longest in Ukraine, including tram and pedestrian connections.
As part of the flagship project of the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development, “Movement Without Barriers,” over 1.1 billion UAH is planned for allocation to 11 pilot communities for creating accessible environments. This project is supported by First Lady Olena Zelenska.
Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov declared 2025 as the Year of Accessibility in Odesa, initiating the creation of a Barrier-Free Council and a program to ensure city accessibility. Key areas include: transport, infrastructure, rehabilitation, and adaptive sports.
Alexey Morozov, advisor to the mayor, coordinates work across all directions, involving veterans and people with disabilities to determine priorities and oversee projects.
“Just a year ago, no one could imagine Odesa becoming a major rehabilitation center by summer 2025. Soon, a revamped inclusive beach will open at the 11th station of the Great Fountain,” Morozov noted.
Odesa is a leader in implementing the longest inclusive tram route “North-South” under the “Movement Without Barriers” project, and an inclusive pedestrian route is also actively being developed.
The Barrier-Free Council conducts regular inspections, checking stops, crossings, and building access. Project ambassadors, such as Valentina Khoruzha, head of the Youth Council, are involved in the work.
“This coordination allows us to quickly meet existing needs for accessible infrastructure. I am grateful to the mayor for his support in this important work,” Alexey Morozov emphasized.
“Movement Without Barriers” is a significant project by the Ministry of Community Development, implemented under the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska. The goal is to create barrier-free routes in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and other cities.
