Boosting social support: Zaporizhzhia receives new minibus for vulnerable groups

Zaporizhzhia has received a new, modern minibus designed to transport individuals with limited mobility as part of joint projects between the City Development Institute of Zaporizhzhia and international partners. This is the seventh vehicle delivered to the city through collaboration with German cities and GIZ GmbH in the past two years.

Providing essential vehicles for public utilities that deliver social, medical, administrative, and emergency services remains a priority for city authorities. During a handover event, Rehina Kharchenko, Secretary of the City Council, along with representatives from the City Development Institute, officially passed the minibus to the Zaporizhzhia City Territorial Center for Social Services. This center provides support for approximately 4,000 residents, including the elderly, individuals with disabilities, low-income families, the homeless, and other vulnerable groups.

“The new minibus will offer transportation services for vulnerable citizens, ensuring access to social institutions, hospitals, and other necessary destinations. We are currently developing a mechanism for receiving and processing applications for this service,” said Marina Borenos, director of the Zaporizhzhia City Territorial Center for Social Services.

Earlier this year, Zaporizhzhia, through a project collaboration with NGO STEP and the Kusanone grant program, received a wheelchair-accessible vehicle for the City’s Inclusive Recourse Center, which provides services for children with special educational needs. In 2025, the City Development Institute will continue to focus on projects enabling the mobility of the city’s social institutions and other public utilities.

We sincerely thank all partners in Ukraine and abroad who help us to achieve this mission.