Kyiv, 16 May 2024 — The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, have transferred mobile administrative service centre (ASC) vehicles to six territorial communities in Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy oblasts.

A mobile ASC is an office on wheels, fully equipped with essential infrastructure and communication facilities to support a professional team of administrators. This includes free internet access, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, electricity, built-in furniture, computers and office equipment. Designed to be accessible, each mobile ASC features a single entry-exit point with an easy-to-navigate stairway and assistive setup, ensuring that older visitors and people with disabilities can access services comfortably.

The initiative targets people who often face access challenges due to geographical isolation, including people with limited mobility, reducing their need to travel long distances to the nearest oblast centre to receive a public service. It is expected that the mobile ASCs will provide the same number of services as any stationary ASC in the community.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology — Minister of Digital Transformation, said: “In the middle of a full-scale war, it is important that people can receive administrative services quickly and conveniently. We are systematically working on digitalizing services and modernizing the ASC network. We are also providing regions with mobile ASCs, which will help Ukrainians receive the necessary services. I am grateful to the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme for delivering six more mobile ASCs. Because of this, even more Ukrainians will now have access to administrative services.”

Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, highlighted that the EU believes this accomplishment is vital to the stability and prosperity of the communities. “Supporting Ukraine’s initiatives in digital innovation and mobile public services is in line with the EU’s broader objective of promoting sustainable and inclusive digital societies,” he said. “This initiative contributes to immediate recovery and reforms and lays the foundation for sustainable development and closer integration with EU standards and practices.”

Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, emphasized the significance of mobile ASCs for providing high-quality and timely administrative services. “Through the introduction of mobile ASCs, UNDP, with generous support from the European Union, is ensuring that vulnerable people — including those living in remote areas, people with limited mobility and internally displaced persons — have access to the basic administrative services. We are committed to expanding this initiative further, continuously striving to extend accessible services to as many communities as possible.”

Background

The Mobile ASCs were transferred to such communities as Izium in Kharkiv Oblast, Kushugum in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Mena in Chernihiv Oblast, Pyriatyn in Poltava Oblast,and Romny and Shostka in Sumy Oblast. The delivery was made by UNDP in Ukraine, with financial support from the European Union, as a part of the “EU4Recovery — Empowering Communities in Ukraine” (EU4Recovery) project. 

Over the summer of 2024, more mobile ASCs are scheduled to be handed over, enhancing service accessibility across seven other communities, specifically in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (Kryvyi Rih, Kamianske, and Novooleksandrivka) and Mykolaiv Oblast (Voznesensk, Bashtanka, Pervomaisk, and Shevchenkove).

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org