Solidarity with Ukraine: A minibus for Verkhniodniprovsk

The city of Bocholt has received a minibus from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to pass on to the Ukrainian solidarity partner city of Verkhniodniprovsk. On Thursday, the vehicle was officially handed over to the Mayor of Verkhniodniprovsk, Gennadii Lebid, at Europa-Haus Bocholt by First City Councillor Björn Volmering.

The minibus was procured as part of a project financed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Government [optional: the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)].

"With this minibus, we are providing concrete support for our solidarity partner city of Verkhniodniprovsk. Particularly in difficult times, it is important that partnership is not just in words, but becomes visible in very practical help and personal exchange", emphasises Björn Volmering.

Mayor Gennadii Lebid expressed his thanks for the support: "We are very grateful to the city of Bocholt and everyone involved for this renewed help. The minibus will help our city in everyday life and is also a strong sign of solidarity."

Handover at Europa-Haus
With the handover of the Mercedes minibus, Bocholt is sending another visible sign of solidarity with its Ukrainian twin town. The visit by Mayor Gennadii Lebid and his four-person delegation emphasises the close ties between the two municipalities.

The minibus is to be used in Verkhniodniprovsk in future to support municipal and social tasks. The city of Verkhniodniprovsk has an area of 1,000 square kilometres; Bocholt only has 119 square kilometres. The Ukrainian municipality is therefore urgently reliant on older people and families in particular being able to get to the doctor or hospital by bus, for example.

Exchange of expertise at the waste disposal and service company
The visit by the delegation from Verkhniodniprovsk was also characterised by an exchange of expertise. The guests learnt about approaches and practical solutions in the areas of waste avoidance, waste collection and recycling at the Bocholt waste disposal and service company. The exchange is intended to help share municipal knowledge and further intensify cooperation in the area of public services.

Further assistance as part of the partnership
The city of Bocholt had already forwarded a first GIZ minibus to Verkhniodniprovsk in November 2024. The new vehicle donation continues the support for the Ukrainian solidarity partner city. At the same time, the campaign shows that the partnership between Bocholt and Verkhniodniprovsk is not only based on humanitarian aid, but also on the practical transfer of knowledge and close municipal cooperation.