Kyiv, 14 November 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, with financial support from the government of Japan, has showcased the results of two flagship initiatives – the Universal Design School and the Barrier-Free Routes School – highlighting 13 outstanding projects that will help transform Ukraine’s recovery into a truly inclusive process.

The initiatives were presented during the “Communities and Cities Friendly For All” event, which brought together more than 150 participants, including government officials, local authorities, civil society leaders, and international partners.

The showcased initiatives included the transformation of the exhibition centre of the National War Museum in Kyiv, the modernization of the Lesya Ukrainka Theatre in Lviv, the creation of veteran and cultural hubs in Lubny and Krolevets, and the development of accessible routes in Lviv, Poltava, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Rivne, Opishnya, Slavutych, and Bucha.

This year, the Universal Design School brought together 36 participants from seven communities, who developed seven ambitious projects. Meanwhile, the Barrier-Free Routes School engaged 61 participants from 15 communities, producing 15 new initiatives. 

The new projects – many with initial funding secured – are now ready for implementation, marking a significant step toward ensuring accessible infrastructure and services are available across Ukraine.

The event was in fact more than a presentation of projects – it served as a platform to unite like-minded people in working toward an inclusive future. Alongside graduates from both schools, the gathering brought together many others committed to the goals of accessibility and universal design, creating a community of practice that will continue to inspire new partnerships and initiatives across Ukraine. 

Tetiana Lomakina, Advisor-Presidential Commissioner for Barrier-Free Environment reminded that people must be at the heart of Ukraine’s recovery – with their fatigue, strength, hope, and right to move forward without additional obstacles.

“Every barrier-free route is more than just a layer of asphalt – it’s an act of respect, a small yet persistent victory over indifference. Barrier-free means being able to move, work, travel, study, and enjoy life. It’s when a veteran with a disability doesn’t have to look for a detour, a mother with a stroller doesn’t face a silent wall of stairs. We’re not just rebuilding infrastructure – we’re building equality, and a country where the participation of every person is ensured through our shared efforts.”

Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, Nataliia Kozlovska, stated that barrier-free accessibility is one of the key principles of modern public policy:

“Barrier-free accessibility is about responsibility to people. We are systematically integrating it into spatial planning, construction standards, and community development approaches to ensure that everyone can move freely, access services, and participate in the life of their city or settlement. This is a long-term national priority. We work comprehensively — at the legislative level, in technical regulations, and through practical project implementation. Because barrier-free accessibility is about dignity and equal opportunities for every person in Ukraine,” Kozlovska underlined.

Anastasiia Bondar, Deputy Minister of Culture for Digital Development, Digital Transformations, and Digitalization, emphasized that universal design is becoming a key approach in shaping cultural spaces:

“For cultural institutions in Ukraine, universal design is not merely about comfort — it is about openness, dignity, and modernity. We highly value our long-standing partnership with UNDP, because it is through such programmes that museums, theatres, and libraries gain practical tools to become more accessible to every person. The projects presented today clearly demonstrate that, especially during recovery, culture can be a space that unites, supports, and inspires — without barriers or exceptions.”

Christophoros Politis, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine, emphasised that inclusivity must be at the heart of Ukraine’s recovery: “Every project presented today is an investment in resilience and fairness,” Politis said. “By placing inclusivity at the centre of urban planning and public policy, Ukraine is setting a powerful example for the world – showing that recovery is strongest when it leaves no one behind.”

Background:

Universal Design School. First launched by UNDP in 2018, the Universal Design School became a flagship programme for integrating universal design principles into infrastructure, services, and urban planning. Revived in 2024–2025 with financial support from the Governments of Sweden and Japan, the programme has trained a total of 170 participants, from municipal officials and architects, to engineers, educators, and civil servants. In addition, educational tools such as the Almanac of Universal Design Solutions and the Lecture Summary Workbook were created to support the replication and scale-up of inclusive practices across communities.

Barrier-Free Routes School. Launched in 2025 by UNDP and the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, with financial support from the Government of Japan and under the national Barrier-Free Movement initiative, the school provided teams with knowledge and practical tools to design inclusive public spaces and accessible routes. The first training cycle engaged 61 representatives from 15 communities, who developed 15 projects. These initiatives serve as model solutions for replication across Ukraine, turning barrier-free principles into tangible contributions to local recovery.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications and Advocacy; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org