The project has just started, and you can follow as we gradually fill this page. For now – a short story from me.

At the end of 2022, I left for studies in the United Kingdom. I knew for certain that I would return home afterwards. In fact, by December that same year I no longer wanted to leave, because despite the shelling, being here in Ukraine felt warmer and safer than being alone abroad.

My studies – a childhood dream finally coming true – will only finish next year. I had planned to begin new activities later. But Open Road has already come to life.

For me, this project is about unity, born from the personal experience of a Ukrainian who, since the start of the full-scale invasion, has lived both at home and abroad. I know what it means to lose loved ones, to have relatives in captivity, to worry for family members at the frontline, and to receive no answers from them. These are experiences that leave a deep mark.

I consciously chose to return home. And I understand well how distance separates Ukrainians, how careless words of politicians or activists, or even propaganda, can divide our communities – both in Ukraine and abroad.

What I long for is for us to be united again, as we were at the beginning of this war. To support those broken or exhausted by its impact. To show compassion and acceptance. To not turn our fatigue into anger directed at one another. I am not speaking about politics now – I am speaking about people. About Ukrainians.

Once, my mission was inclusion in a narrower sense – for people with disabilities and other low-mobility groups. Today, it is about inclusion for all Ukrainians. We are diverse, we are many “minorities”. And we must remain united, supporting those for whom Ukraine is more than just a place on the map.

I was going to write about how we got our car – I will share that story next time. For now, I want to thank our automotive partner Winner for providing the vehicle, for the support and faith in this project. And special thanks to Serhiy, who was inspired by the idea and responded so quickly.

Open Road is about discovering ourselves and learning to stay open – to those near us and those far away. It is about unity, creativity, and inclusion.

Dmytro Shchebetiuk, founder of “Open Road / Відкриття”
14 September 2025

Our automotive partner: Winner