There is money, but not for everyone: in Mykolaiv the budget was increased by hundreds of millions of hryvnias, although culture was left on the brink of survival
Funds were found for transport, heating and projects, but once again there is no money for salaries in the cultural sector
During the session March 26 2026, the deputies of the Mykolaiv City Council approved amendments to the community’s budget. The decision was adopted “in principle” with revisions to be made within 5 days, so that the city would not lose state subsidies and could promptly finance key areas.
After the changes, the main budget indicators are:
- revenues — UAH 6 billion 649 million
- expenditures — UAH 6 billion 835 million
- increase in expenditures — +UAH 735.6 million
Sources of additional funds:
- unused balances from 2025 — UAH 317 million
- public investments — UAH 300 million
- state subsidies — the remaining amount
Where the additional funding will be directed:
- education — +UAH 201.3 million
(supplementary payments to teachers — UAH 125.3 million, student meals, renovation of canteens, support for children with special educational needs) - housing and communal services — +UAH 220.3 million
- support for municipal enterprises (water and heating) — UAH 260.2 million
- project HOPE — UAH 139.7 million
- transport and infrastructure (EIB loan) — UAH 135.4 million
- safety and emergency situations — +UAH 22.1 million
Additional funding for districts:
- Central — UAH 43.2 million
- Zavodskyi — UAH 38.1 million
- Korabelnyi — UAH 35.1 million
- Inhulskyi — UAH 34.5 million
At the same time, despite the overall budget growth, the city still faces a serious problem with funding for culture. The salary shortfall in this sector exceeds UAH 59.8 million per year. Because of this, employees are being sent on unpaid leave, and teaching hours in art schools are being cut. Deputies and the mayor agreed to return to reviewing funding for the cultural and educational sectors in the near future.
Previously we wrote:
- “There won’t be enough money even for salaries”: Sienkevych warned about a harsh selection of funding projects
- There isn’t even enough money for city hall salaries, – Sienkevych explained why now is not the time for bonuses
- Will schools and libraries be closed? In Mykolaiv, due to the “hole in the budget” they want to count children
- In Mykolaiv, money for “budget workers” salaries is running out
- Mykolaiv’s music schools risk closing due to lack of funds
