Pocket Park Opens in Kyiv Region with Support from the MHP-Hromadi Charitable Foundation

A new pocket park, URBANIC – A Space for Your Harmony, has opened in the centre of Myronivka, adding a dedicated leisure area alongside the city’s new sports court. The initiative was implemented by the Community Development Hub NGO as part of the Time to Act, Ukraine! competition run by the MHP-Hromadi Charitable Foundation.

After winning the Foundation’s competition, the URBANIC – A Space for Your Harmony project received UAH 1.4 million in funding.

While the sports court in the city centre was already in use, there had been no dedicated space nearby where residents could relax. The new park has completed the area, turning it into an integrated recreational space. Residents now have a place where they can watch tennis matches, meet and socialise, relax and spend their leisure time.

The grant funded the development of the project, landscaping, the installation of benches, waste bins and other public-space amenities.

“In Myronivka, our competition provided the support needed to bring a community-led idea to life in full. We support initiatives that communities and their residents are prepared to invest in themselves, as we believe partnerships between civil society organisations and local authorities are among the most sustainable models for local development. A well-designed public space in the city centre is something people can use every day. That is why it is important to us that more communities across Ukraine have the opportunity to create changes like this,” said Volodymyr Zabela, Director of the MHP-Hromadi Charitable Foundation.

The initiative’s authors also sought to foster a culture of shared use and stewardship of public spaces within the community.

“Young people have already embraced the tennis court. Now there is also a place nearby where young people, older residents and families with children can spend time and relax. This is making the city centre more comfortable and accessible for everyone,” said Dmytro Zhukotanskyi, First Deputy Mayor of Myronivka. “We are continuously working to improve our community, from recreational areas and leisure spaces to long-term strategic development. For example, together with the MHP-Hromadi Charitable Foundation and our partners, we developed the Community Development Strategy through 2035 and recently received a roadmap for its effective implementation. Our work continues across all these areas.”

At the opening, the organisers presented the project’s results and guided guests through the new park. Representatives of the Foundation, the city council and the youth council joined local residents at the event. Together, they discussed which public spaces should be developed next in Myronivka.

The Time to Act, Ukraine! competition supports local social initiatives in Ukrainian communities. In 2026, one of its key priorities is energy security. At the same time, grants continue to support projects focused on culture, education and social cohesion.