Playground installed at Odesa kindergarten through Yokohama-led crowdfunding effort

Children at No. 141 Kindergarten in Odesa, Ukraine, are once again able to play and laugh outdoors thanks to new playground equipment installed through an international crowdfunding initiative led by the City of Yokohama in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Odesa, a sister city of Yokohama, has faced severe challenges since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In June 2023, Russian bomb blasts damaged No. 141 Kindergarten, destroying the roof, windows, and walls, forcing it to close. In response to a request for support, Yokohama City and UNDP agreed in July 2024 to collaborate on restoration for the facility.

As part of this effort, a crowdfunding campaign was carried out from August to September 2025, exceeding its target and raising ¥3.365 million from 294 supporters. Using these funds, playground equipment, including slides, seesaws, sandpits, and benches, was installed in the kindergarten’s yard in April 2026. Approximately 60 children are now enjoying a safe and welcoming play environment.

All equipment was selected in consultation with kindergarten staff and parents, ensuring that the space meets the children’s needs while fostering a sense of security and joy. Messages of gratitude from the kindergarten emphasize that the playground is not only a place to play, but also a space that nurtures warmth, kindness, and trust.

For more than 60 years, Odesa and Yokohama have been sister cities, and since 2022, Yokohama has worked closely with its citizens, local businesses, and international organizations to provide assistance.

The city established a comprehensive support system to assist evacuees seeking refuge in Yokohama, sent mobile water purification units to supply drinking water, accepted temporary evacuations of children from Odesa, and more.

The City of Yokohama remains committed to standing alongside Odesa, working with international organizations, companies, and citizens to support recovery and build hope for the future.