The city of Odessa is set to receive a state loan to tackle critically important issues. Since the beginning of 2023, Odessa's budget has seen a loss of over 3.9 billion hryvnias, which has been redirected to the state treasury. Community expenditures have increased by 29%, while revenues have only risen by 14%.
Amid the war, the local budget is directing significant resources towards addressing the aftermath of destruction, establishing shelters, providing social support to residents, and assisting military personnel and internally displaced persons.
These expenditures are mandatory and continue to grow each year. To prevent a collapse in other areas, the city council has decided to pursue local borrowing.
The Ministry of Finance has approved this, and this year Odessa will receive a loan of 623.4 million UAH from the state bank.
This funding will be allocated to 70 urgent projects, including:
- “Healthcare” – 186.9 million UAH (modern equipment for hospitals, repair of engineering networks at the infectious diseases hospital);
- “Education” – 81.7 million UAH (establishment of shelters, modernization of protective structures, fire safety measures);
- “Road Management” – 125 million UAH (repair of streets, stops, and key overpasses);
- “Housing and Communal Services” – 220.7 million UAH (capital repairs of stormwater collectors, coastal protection works, upgrading drainage systems and elevators. Additionally – 110 million UAH for connecting cogeneration units to ensure energy resilience of critical infrastructure);
- “Civil Protection” – 9 million UAH (purchase of special equipment for rescuers).
This is not development “for the future”, but the resolution of pressing issues without which a normal life in Odessa during the war cannot be ensured: from heating and water in homes to accessible healthcare, safe schools, and readiness for emergencies.
