The event brought together local government officials, self-government bodies and civil society organisations, providing a platform for sharing knowledge, experience and practical advice on ensuring the accessibility and barrier-free nature of public spaces.
Opening the event, the Deputy Head of Volyn Oblast Military Administration (OMA), Denys Denyshchenko, highlighted the importance of accessibility and inclusiveness in municipalities, emphasised the need for close cooperation between local self-government bodies and state authorities, and stressed the practical value of further collaboration.
The main idea behind the event was, first and foremost, to update the municipalities on the progress of accessibility measures in the oblast, as well as to strengthen horizontal communication between executive authorities and local self-government bodies, and to engage civil society organisations in active cooperation. This was stated by Anatolii Matviiuk, a Policy Advisor at the Regional Office of U-LEAD in Volyn Oblast.
He underlined that accessibility is not a separate additional project; rather, it should be integrated into the day-to-day activities of local self-government bodies:
“Barrier-free measures are an integral part of gender-responsive budgeting. They are designed to meet the needs of different groups of residents, including those with disabilities, people with low mobility, etc. The availability of services provided using budget funds should be analysed and factored in when planning activities. This is not a separate activity, but an integral part of the day-to-day work of local self-government bodies”.
Anatolii Matviiuk added that addressing the needs of different categories of residents contributes to more efficient use of budget funds and ensures equal access to services for all population groups.
Implementing accessibility in municipalities of Volyn Oblast
“All municipalities in Volyn have created Accessibility Boards, and I would like to extend my appreciation to those who are working on this,” said Vasyl Vasylenko, the Acting Head of the Department of Urban Design and Architecture of Volyn OMA, during his speech.
He also emphasised the importance of highlighting accessibility on municipalities’ websites, planning and gradually constructing accessible routes, and incorporating these principles into project and financial documentation.
The event was also attended by Zrush Skeliu (Move the Mountain), an NGO that is actively helping municipalities create barrier-free spaces. The head of the NGO, war veteran Yevhen Syvoplias, spoke about practical challenges and opportunities:
“We promote accessibility and are ready to cooperate with municipalities, starting with communication with designers and contractors”.
Yevhen Syvoplias showcased samples of materials used to create safe public spaces: tiles, metal gratings for ramps, pipes for handrails. They reduce risks for people with low mobility and help make spaces accessible to everyone. Adding to the discussion, Vasyl Vasylenko suggested distributing samples to all municipalities through district military administrations.
Monitoring and assessment of accessibility
Nataliia Hrytsaiuk, a Chief Specialist of the Urban Planning Cadastre and Monitoring Office of Volyn OMA’s Department of Urban Design and Architecture, spoke at the event about monitoring and assessing the accessibility of physical environments and services for persons with disabilities.
She presented an accessibility map that helps municipalities evaluate accessibility levels, identify priority areas for improvement and plan further activities. This enables the integration of data and experiences from different municipalities, creating a more comprehensive approach to accessibility.
Summing up the event, Anatolii Matviiuk noted that such partner sessions are of particular value as they bring together government officials and the public in an open dialogue with municipalities. These events offer an opportunity to understand the regulatory framework, identify priority steps, learn from the hands-on experience of other municipalities and explore potential solutions for your own. And they are all the more meaningful when they touch upon pressing issues that are currently affecting the entire country.
