Bucha community was one of the first in Kyiv region to face a sharp rise in demand for social services after the outbreak of the full-scale invasion. The community saw the return of people who had survived the occupation, wounded servicemen, families of internally displaced persons, and residents with temporary or permanent mobility impairments. Under these circumstances, the availability of transport became a daily challenge: many people were simply unable to reach hospitals, rehabilitation centres, social services or other essential locations. The lack of specialised transport practically isolated the most vulnerable groups.

A needs assessment carried out by the Bucha Centre for Social Services and Psychological Support revealed that the lack of accessible transport was one of the most pressing problems in the community. Public transport was not adapted for people with disabilities, whilst private taxis remained unaffordable for many. This created a vicious circle in which people were unable to access help and support. Therefore, the community leadership identified creating a barrier-free environment as one of its strategic priorities – and the decision to launch the Social Taxi service was a natural extension of this policy.

The idea to apply for the competition for local financial contributions under U-LEAD with Europe programme arose naturally. The theme of the contributions, “Leaving no one behind”, was fully in line with the community’s vision: to ensure mobility for those who need it most. Bucha independently initiated the launch of a social taxi service, and U-LEAD supported the community in implementing the idea, recognising it as an important step towards accessibility.

Funding was provided in the form of a local financial contribution. Bucha received the vehicle for the service from U-LEAD with Europe as part of the Emergency Assistance 2.0 initiative. Bucha City Council completed all the necessary procedures to transfer the vehicle to its balance sheet and hand it over to the municipal non-profit enterprise.

U-LEAD provided additional funding of UAH 1,160,900 for the inclusive re-equipping and specialised fitting out of the vehicle. This turned an ordinary car into a fully-fledged social taxi. This approach combined community resources with programme support and ensured the sustainable launch of the service.

Nataliia Zaitseva, Team Leader of Project Factory in the Department of Regional Activities, emphasises that the support provided by the programme was comprehensive.

‘We supported the community at every stage of the implementation of the initiative – from preparing and clarifying procedures to the completion of the project. This was comprehensive support: technical, organisational, and financial. The process involved project managers, finance specialists, and regional experts, who helped the community to follow all the steps correctly.

Our approach remains the same: we do not simply provide communities with resources, but accompany them throughout the implementation of the initiative to minimise risks and ensure quality results.’

Thanks to this support, the community received a minibus that had been adapted to be accessible: a lift, handrails, a navigation system, external lighting, climate control, and safety systems were installed. In parallel, the team of the centre underwent training in inclusive communication, working with people with disabilities, and interacting with military personnel.

Alongside the development of the Social Taxi service, Bucha community has been taking considerable steps towards creating a broader support system for people with disabilities. A day care service for children with disabilities has already been introduced at the Community Health Centre, and work is ongoing to establish a Rehabilitation Centre for children with disabilities. This is an important extension of the community’s comprehensive approach: to ensure not only mobility but also access to specialist rehabilitation services, which are critically needed by families who have experienced stress and changes in their health.

Olena Renchka, Director of the Bucha Centre for Social Services and Psychological Support, explains that launching the service was not easy, but absolutely essential:

‘There were delays with deliveries and a very tight timeframe for re-equipping, but we knew how important it was to provide this service. We learnt not only the technical aspects, but also how to interact with clients in the right way – sensitively, with dignity and without stigma.’

Social Taxi has been officially working since February 2025. In the first eight months, the service carried out 255 journeys for 78 clients. The routes cover not only Bucha itself, but also Kyiv and other localities in the region. For many, this was their first opportunity to return to medical treatment, rehabilitation, education or to sort out administrative matters.

According to Olena Renchka, the service has had a tangible positive impact on people’s lives, ‘People no longer feel isolated. They know they can count on support and remain part of the community. This changes their psychological state and sense of dignity.’

Today, the community received another accessible vehicle, which will expand the service and increase the number of journeys. Bucha is ready to share its experience with other communities, as the model has proven to be sustainable, effective, and capable of working in different regions.

‘Despite all the difficulties, this service works, and we see the results every day. People with disabilities have gained real access to the opportunities they need – and that means our efforts have not been in vain,’ concludes Ms Renchka.