Brovary becomes first Ukraine city to pilot Finnish Accessibility Index

The City of Brovary is testing a Finnish-developed Accessibility Index on five city-owned facilities to map barriers, prioritize upgrades, and guide reconstruction. The pilot is designed to help the city make faster, data-based decisions as war damage and accessibility needs reshape public services.

Why it matters: - Brovary is using a structured accessibility tool to guide rebuilding and service delivery during wartime. - The pilot is aimed at people with disabilities, older adults and wounded veterans who depend on safer, more usable public buildings. - The results could help the city direct limited reconstruction money to the highest-impact fixes.

What happened: - The City of Brovary became the first municipality in Ukraine to pilot the Finnish-developed Accessibility Index. - Finnish accessibility consultancy Riesa created the framework. - Brovary and Riesa signed a cooperation agreement in summer 2026. - Five city-owned facilities were selected for the pilot project. - City employees will collect accessibility data from the selected sites as security conditions allow. - Riesa will analyze the data and prepare an Accessibility Index report for each facility.

The details: - The Accessibility Index is a data-driven framework for assessing public-building accessibility and setting investment priorities. - Riesa is providing the methodology, assessment materials and guidance for data collection. - The reports will identify quick improvements and longer-term development priorities. - The pilot is intended to support inclusive reconstruction and broader community development. - The city wants a practical and cost-effective way to evaluate public buildings and plan future investments. - The information gathered can also support reconstruction planning and funding requests. - After the pilot, Brovary could move into a broader development program that would support planning, implementation and monitoring of accessibility improvements.

Between the lines: - The partnership started after Riesa co-owner Anni Kyröläinen read a magazine interview about Brovary's accessibility efforts and reached out. - The collaboration reflects a shift from accessibility as a facilities issue to accessibility as a safety and recovery issue during war. - Olena Korovina, head of the Division of Investment and External Relations at the Executive Committee of Brovary City Council, said accessible shelters, adapted housing and inclusive services are now matters of safety, survival and dignity. - Riesa said accessibility affects access to services, social participation and independent living, and that good accessibility benefits all residents.

What's next: - Brovary will gather the access data for the five facilities when security conditions allow. - Riesa will turn that data into facility-by-facility reports with improvement recommendations. - The city will decide whether to expand into a broader accessibility development program after the pilot. - Riesa said any future expansion plans in Ukraine will be announced separately.

The bottom line: - Brovary is turning accessibility planning into a measurable reconstruction tool, with Finland's Riesa providing the framework and analysis.