Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories Nataliia Kozlovska held a meeting during which the work on the Action Plan for 2023-2024 for the implementation of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Space in Ukraine for the period until 2030 was summarized. As part of the discussion, the main results of the implementation of barrier-free measures in a number of industries during this period were presented.

“Today’s event is not only a summary, but also a platform for determining the next steps. After all, barrier-free is not a one-time initiative, but a long-term transformation of the culture of management, design and interaction. In pilot cities of Ukraine, together with local authorities, we are beginning the development and implementation of barrier-free routes as part of the implementation of the flagship project “Movement without Barriers”. Last year, 752 territorial communities have already begun creating barrier-free routes. I would like to thank the communities in general for their active work aimed at developing barrier-free. During 2023-2024, 931 communities formed Local Barrier-Free Councils, and 706 communities included barrier-free issues in their program and strategic documents. All this helps to ensure the sustainable development of a barrier-free and favorable environment for people to live in these communities. The Ministry remains a reliable coordinator and partner of communities in the implementation of barrier-free solutions in "We are open to cooperation, to ideas and projects that correspond to the modern vision of Ukraine as a state of equal opportunities," said Nataliia Kozlovska.

Over the two years of its work, the Ministry has implemented 45 measures on accessibility, of which 30 are in the construction sector, 6 in the transport sector, 8 in the tourism sector and one measure aimed at improving housing and communal services.

Among these measures:

• updating the regulatory framework for design, construction and reconstruction taking into account the principles of universal design. Thanks to this, the principles of accessibility are integrated into the legislation, and construction taking them into account becomes mandatory;
• harmonization of national building codes with European standards, which brings us closer to EU practices in the field of physical accessibility. This opens up opportunities for the development of a barrier-free space according to the best international practices;
• creation of monitoring tools that will help track the real level of accessibility in settlements;
• increasing the capacity of communities to take into account inclusive approaches in planning and development of territories.

In order to assess the real state of accessibility for all population groups, monitoring of accessibility continues. Monitoring shows that in many communities accessibility is still at an early stage. Broader involvement of citizens in the monitoring process will help to better identify problems and find solutions.

At the same time, monitoring shows that a systemic policy, supported by regulatory and financial instruments, can produce specific results.

Regulatory and legal changes have affected many areas - from the accessibility of public buildings and transport infrastructure to the development of digital services that are friendly to all users.

Over the past 2 years, the Ministry for Development has ensured the adoption of 12 acts of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, issued 7 of its own orders, updated 5 State Building Standards, 4 National Standards, and developed and published 6 methodological recommendations on creating a barrier-free environment.

Among the priorities for the next period are the continuation of regulatory updating, strengthening interagency cooperation, as well as support for local initiatives that promote barrier-free access. At the same time, Nataliia Kozlovska emphasized that real changes are possible only if all levels of government, business, civil society and international partners are involved.

The strategy for the development of barrier-free space in Ukraine was created at the initiative of the first lady Olena Zelenska.

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