Even in the difficult times of war, the Kazankivska territorial community of Mykolaiv Oblast is actively building its future. Despite all the challenges, the community is focusing its efforts on active development and strategic planning of its own development. This is largely facilitated by cooperation with the Centre for Innovation Development within the framework of the project “Strengthening Democratic Processes in Territorial Communities”, supported by the USAID Democratic Governance in Eastern Ukraine Project.
In order to strengthen democracy, the Kazankivska community is engaged not only in theoretical discussions but also in concrete steps, namely the development of a Comprehensive Community Recovery Programme. This includes projects that not only restore and develop infrastructure, but also create new high-paying jobs and open up opportunities for creative self-realisation. The key areas for project preparation were identified as follows: road repairs, water supply, construction of shelters to improve the safety of residents in times of war, energy saving, and the introduction of modern digitalisation technologies.
Already at the expert event “Strengthening democratic processes at the local level during the war”, which the Centre for Innovations Development held with community representatives on 21 March 2024 in Kyiv, it became clear that the combination of modern development tools with the enormous potential of the Kazankivska community could provide a powerful result in the growth of community well-being. Representatives of the Kazankivska community brought up not only problems but also specific proposals for their solution through the implementation of projects: infrastructure development, improvement of social security, introduction of innovative green energy and digitalisation technologies, and implementation of military-patriotic education programmes for young people.
The expert event was also an important step towards the establishment of the Network Project Office of the Kazankivska community – the formation of a community of specialists that will prepare project proposals for inclusion in the Comprehensive Recovery Programme and the Kazankivska Community Recovery and Development Plan in order to attract resources for their implementation. This initiative is already showing its first results, as not only have certain project ideas been prioritised, but project teams have been formed to detail project descriptions, including “Restoration of road transport infrastructure between the settlements of Mykhaylivka-Novofedorivka-Troyanka-Utishne”, “Creation of a multifunctional shelter in the Kazanka hospital”, “Construction of a shelter for the Kazanka pre-school education institution “Teremok”, “Reconstruction of the central stadium of FSC Kolos in the village of Kazanka”, “Creation of a boarding house for children in a non-working kindergarten in Novodanylivka”, “Establishment of the Energy of Development Community Social and Economic Development Agency”, “Establishment of the Creative Economy Hub”, and the formation of the Kazanka Agrocluster for the production, storage and processing of agricultural products and the production of innovative food products.
Further, it is planned to hold training events and ideation sessions with the maximum involvement of civil society representatives, internally displaced persons, entrepreneurs and all concerned community members to ensure that the strategic planning documents for the community not only pave the way for its successful future, but also provide the necessary energy for growth and development.
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During the expert discussion, Leonid Novytskyi, Deputy Head of the Kazankivska settlement council’s executive bodies, said: “The Comprehensive Recovery Programme is a critical tool for our community. It can help restore infrastructure, social services and the community’s economy. It also helps to create plans that take into account the needs of the community, ensure sustainable development and maintain the quality of life of residents and helps to attract funding and resources for the restoration of the territories. It is important that we as a community actively use this tool to improve the quality of life of our residents.”
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For reference: The implementation of this project was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Innovation Development Centre is implementing the project “Strengthening Democratic Processes in Territorial Communities” with the support of the USAID Democratic Governance in Eastern Ukraine Project.