LocationsBashtanka: Recovery through creating opportunities
March 12, 2026
Bashtanka is a small town in Mykolaiv Oblast that was among the first to feel the impact of the war. In March 2022, it was here that one line of advance by Russian troops was halted, and the town was awarded the title of “Hero City.”
At the same time, the community endured extensive destruction and had to take in a large influx of people forced to flee their homes. As a result, this small town of just 12,000 residents effectively became a defence hub for southern Ukraine and had to adapt quickly to new challenges.
Today, despite its proximity to the frontline and the losses it has suffered, the community has set course for recovery: it has opened a new, modern Administrative Service Centre (ASC) to replace one that was destroyed, launched a mobile ASC office for remote villages, expanded social services, and created spaces where older adults, veterans, internally displaced people, and local residents can connect, learn, and receive support.
Bashtanka is now investing in modernization and development — from upgrading administrative services to establishing a community hub and supporting local businesses. This is a story of how a community, even in wartime, is building new opportunities and moving forward.
A new quality of administrative services
Bashtanka’s Administrative Service Centre (ASC) was destroyed during hostilities, and for almost two years the team worked in temporary premises, moving from one location to another. The opening of a new ASC was one of the community’s first major steps toward restoring services.
“Previously, the ASC operated in rented facilities that we couldn’t modify or renovate, which created serious barriers for people with limited mobility,” says Bashtanka Deputy Mayor Oleksandr Vasyliev.
“Thanks to cooperation with the EU and UNDP, we were able to open a modern ASC building. This significantly expanded our service capacity — people now come to us from other communities as well. Everything here is convenient: accessible spaces, a nearby park area. It’s all positive — for both staff and visitors.”
In less than a year, the new centre has provided more than 15,000 administrative services. It has also already received two awards as an exemplary service centre.
“Our service list includes more than 400 items”, notes ASC Director Andrii Kononenko. “The key advantage of the new facility is its compliance with accessibility and inclusivity standards for people with limited mobility. In addition, our capabilities have expanded, including self-service terminals. This is a completely different quality of service delivery.”
At the end of October 2025, the range of services expanded further: the ASC now accepts documents for processing deferments for people that are liable for military service.
With the support of the EU and UNDP, Bashtanka also operates a mobile ASC — a specially equipped vehicle that provides services in remote areas and villages of the community. This is particularly important for people who cannot reach the stationary centre, and especially for those with limited mobility. The mobile ASC is equipped to provide the same range of administrative services as the main office.
Caring for older adults
Social support in Bashtanka goes beyond administrative services. The town has a large population of older residents, and since the start of the full-scale invasion, their needs have only increased. That is why the Social Adaptation Space, created with the support of the EU and UNDP, has become a place where many can not only receive assistance but also find support and a sense of community.
Here, people engage in creative activities — from knitting and folklore to theatre classes. According to Liliia Pluzhnyk, Head of the Social Work Department, such spaces are critically important for support and integration:
“Our municipal institution has long been running the University of the Third Age — an innovative lifelong learning project for older people”, Pluzhnyk says. “Today it’s not only people aged 60 plus, but also IDPs, people with disabilities, veterans, including those who have returned from captivity. They all need support — a place to socialize, have tea or coffee, and receive psychological and legal assistance. This really makes life easier for people.”
Currently, more than 60 participants attend the space, studying in various fields. There are nine “faculties,” including music, theatre, computer literacy, local history, foreign languages, visual arts, folklore, and Nordic walking. Everyone can choose what kind of activities they wish to join.
“All of this became possible thanks to cooperation between the community and international partners who support us and help create comfortable conditions for everyone,” adds Pluzhnyk.
Social worker Daria Honcharova explains that since 2024 the centre has been organizing peer support groups using the equipped spaces for group sessions:
“We’ve had groups for caregivers, families with teenagers, internally displaced people, and families raising children with disabilities”, Honcharova says. “We meet every two weeks or once a month to discuss the most pressing issues. This is a place where people can share their experiences.”
The need for such spaces is especially acute in small towns today: many younger and middle-aged residents are at the frontline or have relocated to safer regions. Older adults often remain alone with their worries and everyday challenges. Now, in Bashtanka, they have a place where they are cared for, where they don’t feel alone, and where they can stay connected with one another.
A community gathering point
For a long time, Bashtanka lacked a place where the community could gather — to hold meetings, consultations, public hearings, or to conduct training. The idea of creating such a space emerged during cooperation with international partners.
“In 2023, with the support of UNDP and partners, a community engagement working group began operating in Bashtanka,” says Iryna Raievska, Head of the Investment and Energy Management Department of the Bashtanka City Council.
“Since there was no dedicated space, meetings took place in the cultural centre, the library, or even in offices. The need for space became urgent. International partners helped with renovations, furniture, and some equipment. There was nothing like this in the town before.”
With the support of UNDP and the Government of Denmark, and the active involvement of the city council, a modern community space was created in Bashtanka. It includes a meeting hall that can be transformed for various formats, a creative area, a cinema projector, a computer lab — everything needed to organize community work and gatherings. Today, most local events take place here — from city council meetings and departmental sessions to public discussions, training sessions, and conferences.
“This place has become a focal point for uniting the efforts of all community members — civil society, local authorities, and business,” adds Raievska.
Creative business
At the same time, a space combining creativity and entrepreneurship emerged in the community. With UNDP support, local residents opened a textile printing workshop — unique in the Bashtanka district — which quickly became popular. Initially located in the village of Yavkyne near Bashtanka, the workshop later moved to the central part of the community’s main settlement.
They print designs on T-shirts, mugs, and hoodies — from patriotic motifs to humorous memes. The workshop is currently operating at full capacity, with strong demand from both Instagram orders and walk-in customers. There are plans for expansion, as orders are also coming in from other regions.
“Thanks to a grant from UNDP and the Government of Denmark, we were able to purchase this printer and get started. Now we see many people on the streets wearing T-shirts and hoodies with our prints — even the city streets look friendlier,” shares workshop employee Vladyslav Pisartsov.
Founder Oleksandr Kovryha says the idea emerged when he was serving as head of the neighbouring village of Yavkyne:
“We had a cultural centre where girls came to paint tote bags by hand”, Kovryha says. “Then we had the idea to do it with machines. Now we are the only textile printing shop not just in the community, but in the entire Bashtanka district. For the community and municipal enterprises, we produce items at cost — almost half the price. That’s how we support our own.”
The workshop has already completed thousands of orders. Sometimes people even bring old clothing to print something warm or humorous on it.
This initiative is not only about business and jobs — it’s also about residents’ pride in their town, which is now associated not only with defence, but also with creativity and entrepreneurship.
Looking to the future
The Bashtanka community has gone through severe trials, but has managed to turn these into an impulse for development. Thanks to partner support and the active involvement of local residents, services and spaces are emerging that make life more comfortable and safer.
Today, the community is confidently moving forward — implementing new projects, strengthening social cohesion, and laying the foundations for sustainable development in southern Ukraine. Even in difficult times, Bashtanka is finding the strength to build for the future.
Photo credit: Kostiantyn Levchenko / UNDP in Ukraine
The story was prepared as part of the campaign “Ukraine Delivers,” a joint initiative by the Ministry for the Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine.
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