Mykolaiv lacks the funds for an inclusive beach: the project has been put on hold until the war ends

Holidaymakers on the beach at Namiv in Mykolaiv. Photo: NikVesti

Mykolaiv City Council has stated that the idea of creating an inclusive beach in the city is relevant and socially important, but due to a lack of funds, they do not plan to implement it.

This is stated in the response from the executive committee of Mykolaiv City Council to an information request from NikVesti.

The City Council reported that the issue of creating an accessible beach for people with disabilities was discussed at a meeting attended by relevant departments, municipal services, lifeguards and representatives of civil society organisations. The authors of the participatory budgeting project to construct a ramp and a footpath leading to the water on the Southern Bug River along Lazurna Street were also involved in the discussion.

Support those who keep the city informed every day

Club NikVesti — a place where the reader and the editorial team are on the same side.

Members have access to a private chat, an exclusive newsletter with behind-the-scenes stories from journalists, see the news earlier, and influence the changes.

Join us. Together we keep the city bright

One-time support Monthly

€ 1 € 2 € 10

Donate

by phone

---

by card

€ 2

by phone

---

by card

€ 5

by phone

---

by card

€ 10

by phone

---

by card

Secure payment

The recipient of donations is the NGO “Mykolaiv Media Hub” (EDRPOU 45160758). By making a donation, you confirm that the amount is non-refundable and may be used by the NGO to implement its statutory activities, including supporting independent journalism and creating socially significant content. Public offer.

«Nataliia Dzevitska and Ulyana Chaplenko have been involved in the work; since 2021, they have been working on developing the documentation for the participatory budgeting project ‘New construction of amenities for a footpath and ramp providing access to the water on the Southern Bug River along Lazurna Street in Mykolaiv’. The documentation is currently at the preliminary design stage,» the statement reads.

The meeting participants agreed that the idea of an inclusive beach is socially important, but its implementation requires significant funding and comprehensive infrastructure — from access roads and ramps to water supply, sewerage, electricity, showers, toilets and equipped lifeguard stations.

«Following the discussion, it was noted that the idea of creating an inclusive beach in the city of Mykolaiv is relevant and socially important, but its implementation requires significant financial investment. The project proposed by Dzevitska and Chaplenko could serve as the foundation for a comprehensive beach development project adapted to the needs of people with disabilities,» the response states.

The city council emphasises that there are currently no funds in the local budget to implement such a project. Therefore, its possible implementation is being postponed until at least the end of hostilities.

«Following the meeting, it was determined that when preparing proposals for consideration by the council committee, it must be noted that the implementation of the project to create an inclusive beach is possible after the end of hostilities and provided that appropriate funding is available from the city budget,» the city council added.

At the same time, under the city programme «Mykolaiv Without Barriers» for 2024–2026, 148,800 hryvnias have been allocated for 2026 to organise transport for people with disabilities to the inclusive beach in Odesa.

The city council is also considering the idea of creating an inclusive leisure area in the Namiv district, though this too remains at the discussion stage.

Screenshot of the response to the request

Screenshot of the response to the request

Screenshot of the response to the request

It is worth noting that a project for an inclusive beach was launched in Mykolaiv even before the war. It was not implemented, but there are now proposals to revisit the issue. It could be set up at Strilka Beach, though funding is required.

We would also like to remind you that in Odesa, the «Bezmezh» inclusive beach was visited by around 160,000 people in 2025.

In March 2025, work began in Odesa to restore the inclusive beach at the 11th station of Velykyi Fontan. The city budget allocated 19.5 million hryvnias for its major refurbishment and infrastructure upgrades.

From June to September 2025, residents of Mykolaiv with musculoskeletal disorders were transported free of charge to the inclusive beach in Odesa.