Hoshcha Territorial Community

Rivne
Population:

The Hoshcha Territorial Community is located in the Rivne District of the Rivne Region.

The total area of the Community amounts to 484.3 square kilometres.
The population of the Community totals 23,019 residents.
Internally displaced persons: 437 people

The Community consists of forty localities, with the village of Hoshcha being its administrative centre.

History

Hoshcha is a town with a deep history dating back to the 12th century. For centuries, it played an important role in the cultural and social life of the region.

The first mentions of Hoshcha date back to 1152. The name comes from the Old Slavic “pohost” or “host”, which means a settlement or hospitality. In the Middle Ages, Hoshcha was an important centre, which is evidenced by the churches and other buildings of architectural grandeur that can still be found in its territory. The Community is located on the banks of the Horyn River.

A bird’s eye view of Hoshcha
A bird’s eye view of Hoshcha Source

In the 17th century, the town became a centre of education thanks to the establishment of a collegium.

In the second half of the 19th century, the town experienced significant development thanks to the ownership of landowners, which contributed to the construction of temples and wealthy settlements. In the 20th century, in particular, during the revolutionary events and the Second World War, Hoshcha went through ordeals, but managed to recover.

The historical heritage of the Community includes the Intercession Orthodox Convent, the Lenkevychi Manor and the Hoshcha settlement, which is an archaeological site.

Lenkevychi – Valevski Manor (Pohoryn Museum)
Lenkevychi – Valevski Manor (Pohoryn Museum) Source

The Lenkevychi – Valevski Manor in Hoshcha is an outstanding landmark of the palatial modernism in the residential architecture of Volyn in the 19th century.

The Hoshcha Park is a site of garden and park art of national importance established in the 18th century. Its greatest value is rare species of trees brought there from many countries of the southern hemisphere. In a relatively small area, one can see many species of rare shrubs and trees. The decoration of the park is an exotic ginkgo tree. Japanese sophora and swamp oak also grow there. The park is a favourite recreation spot for residents and guests.

Hoshcha Park
Hoshcha Park Source

The Hoshcha Intercession Convent is an Orthodox convent, an architectural landmark of the 17th century. The temple has a unique working sundial, which was installed on the wall of the building in the 17th century.

Convent
Convent Source

The 19th century water mill is a tourist highlight of Hoshcha. Equipment for the facility was brought from Holland. The fact that the mill was built way back in 1882 can be seen even now. There is a beam inside, on which the inscription of the family’s name and the year of construction can still be seen.

Water Mill
Water Mill Source

There is also an archaeological landmark dating back to the period of Kyivan Rus in the territory of the Community. Archaeologists have found human remains that were buried about six thousand years ago.

Outdoor historical and cultural festival
Outdoor historical and cultural festival Source
Bicycle race of the Hoshcha Community residents to the Voronov airfield
Bicycle race of the Hoshcha Community residents to the Voronov airfield Source

Economy and Welfare

Thanks to its location near the Kyiv-Chop international highway and its proximity to the city of Kyiv (300 km), the economy of the Hoshcha Community has additional competitive advantages.

The agricultural sector of the Community is represented by forty agro-industrial enterprises of various forms of ownership, including sixteen farms. The main crops grown in the territory of the Community are wheat, rapeseed, sunflower, soybean and corn, as well as vegetables, fruit, and berries.

Ritter Bio Agro carries out organic cultivation of agricultural crops and holds the Organic Standard certificate. In 2018, the company was the first in Ukraine to obtain certified organic sugar from organic beets.

Innovative enterprises producing disposable medical clothing, equipment for the food industry, chicken, and tobacco operate effectively as well.

FAPOMED UKRAINA
FAPOMED UKRAINA Source

In 2023, the relocated sewing enterprise Alexia from the Kharkiv Region resumed production in the territory of the Community. 

Relocated sewing enterprise Alexia
Relocated sewing enterprise Alexia Source

Hoshcha candies, sausage products, honey, and craft cheeses became traditional products known outside Ukraine.

Hoshcha Food Factory
Hoshcha Food Factory Source

In the Community, one can enjoy quality Ukrainian cuisine made from fresh and natural foods. The caterers offer their guests not only excellent food, but also cosy rooms for relaxation.

The territories of the Community are a good springboard for eco-tourism as they have no environmentally harmful industries.

Hodyna Shchastia (Happiness Hour) hotel and restaurant complex
Hodyna Shchastia (Happiness Hour) hotel and restaurant complex Source

The Community actively develops its culture. Various cultural events are organized to enrich the cultural life of the region and inspire residents to new artistic achievements.

Hoshcha extracurricular education centre. Art meeting “Lord, Save Ukraine!”
Hoshcha extracurricular education centre. Art meeting “Lord, Save Ukraine!” Source

The Community has a great interest in self-development. Young people are actively involved in learning, developing their skills and improving their personality.

A successful school through effective self-governance
A successful school through effective self-governance Source

The Hoshcha Community aims at popularizing sports and a healthy lifestyle not only within our district, but also beyond it. Through active participation in sports competitions at various levels, our athletes become an integral part of the sports world positively representing our Community and raising its prestige on the international stage.

Hoshcha SKIF children’s and youth sports school
Hoshcha SKIF children’s and youth sports school Source
Tuchyn Popular Art and Leisure Centre, Sakura sports club
Tuchyn Popular Art and Leisure Centre, Sakura sports club Source
Youth volleyball
Youth volleyball Source

Ruth Charity Foundation provides extraordinary care and support to people with limited physical abilities and those having no home. The Ruth Foundation is relentlessly pursuing its mission of promoting inclusiveness and improving the quality of life of those in need of special attention and assistance.

Ruth Charity Foundation helps addicted residents of the Rivne Region and homeless people start a new life
Ruth Charity Foundation helps addicted residents of the Rivne Region and homeless people start a new life

An Eco-Town is built at the Hoshcha kindergarten – an area in the yard of the kindergarten, where there will be an “animal hotel”, paths for hedgehogs, feeders on trees, an open pavilion where one can spend time, draw in any weather and season, as well as a waste sorting station.

Eco-Town
Eco-Town

Community and War

Given its geographical location and remoteness from active combat zones, the Hoshcha Territorial Community has become a safe shelter for about 2,000 people since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Today, there are 432 people who plan to stay there.

All the educational and cultural institutions have become permanent volunteer centres.

The team of the communal institution “Territorial Social Services Centre” together with the mobile brigade of social and psychological assistance and the support of director of the Ruth Charitable Foundation Ihor Holovchak raised funds for two FPV drones for a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Drones will become an important resource in communication, intelligence and security.

Territorial Social Services Centre team
Territorial Social Services Centre team Source

Charity fairs are held in the Community to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 

A charitable fair held at the Hoshcha Lyceum
A charitable fair held at the Hoshcha Lyceum Source
Charitable fair at the Maliatyn Lyceum in support of the Community residents defending Ukraine on the front lines
Charitable fair at the Maliatyn Lyceum in support of the Community residents defending Ukraine on the front lines Source
Charitable fair “We teach. We help. We win!” at the special school in the village of Tuchyn
Charitable fair “We teach. We help. We win!” at the special school in the village of Tuchyn Source
A vehicle purchased using the funds raised for a Community resident
A vehicle purchased using the funds raised for a Community resident Source
Funds raised to purchase the drone “In memory of the fallen heroes of the village of Kurozvany”, Kurozvany Lyceum
Funds raised to purchase the drone “In memory of the fallen heroes of the village of Kurozvany”, Kurozvany Lyceum Source

On the occasion of the World Ukrainian Headscarf Day, the local women organized a rite of making Ukrainian dumplings while singing Ukrainian songs, showing their care and support for those who defend the independence and peace of Ukraine.

 A charitable event for the military
A charitable event for the military Source

The local residents systematically hold various events, gatherings, fairs, exhibitions and sales in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and always actively participate in all the initiatives, weave nets and make trench candles.

 On the occasion of the Social Worker Day, nets were woven for the military, which emphasizes the general spirit of unity that characterizes Ukrainian society.

Territorial Social Services Centre
Territorial Social Services Centre Source

Halyna Lyskevych, a 62-year-old volunteer, has been giving her care and making food for wounded soldiers for nine years. Inspired by her example, her neighbours and grandson join this noble cause. Together with relatives and like-minded people, she created a charity fund and raises funds and products for this cause. Because of her kind heart and care, the defenders call the volunteer Mum Halia, and she calls them children in return.

Halyna Lyskevych, volunteer Mum Halia
Halyna Lyskevych, volunteer Mum Halia Source

National unity and patriotism unite people with faith in a happy future for the Community and Ukraine in general.

People of the Community

Mykola Panchuk, Head of the Hoshcha Territorial Community
Mykola Panchuk, Head of the Hoshcha Territorial Community Source

In 2014, Mykola Panchuk became an active volunteer, was a co-founder of the nongovernmental organization “Volunteer Movement Together Hoshcha”, which has been sending aid to hot spots in Ukraine since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Since the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine, Mykola has strengthened the volunteer movement in the Community, involving international partners. On several occasions, he delivered humanitarian goods to areas of active hostilities all by himself.

Mykola Panchuk’s high achievement is the creation of the Community development department and the start of project management work in the Hoshcha Community. This made it possible to attract grant funds for the implementation of various ideas and projects: the tourist location “Date Quay”, festivals, a gastronomic almanac “Hoshcha Traditions”, the Administrative Services Centre, the youth centre “Klubok”, improvement of the material and technical resources of communal institutions, open a social laundry at the Social Services Centre, an inclusive children’s space at the children’s library, etc.

Diia. Centre is a location with a complex of all the necessary administrative services provided to the residents
Diia. Centre is a location with a complex of all the necessary administrative services provided to the residents Source
Hoshcha Settlement Council staff
Hoshcha Settlement Council staff

Andrii Zinchuk is a person who not only took part in the war, but also made a significant contribution to the well-being of his community after returning to peaceful life. After becoming the starosta of the Starosta-headed district, he took responsibility for the well-being and safety of the residents, showing care and devotion to his Community.

Andrii Volodymyrovych Zinchuk, a serviceman who has become a starosta
Andrii Volodymyrovych Zinchuk, a serviceman who has become a starosta Source

Development Strategy 

The Community is working on a development strategy for 2017-2023. Local self-government representatives are working on the document in partnership with the Volyn Resource Centre, the City Sustainable Development Agency, and the USAID Hoverla projects.

The strategy for 2023-2027 will take into account previous developments with certain adjustments. They imply, in particular, changes in the Community’s economic policy, the arrival of enterprises relocated from the war zone. The planning of healthcare, education, and culture institutions will also be a component. It is planned to complete work on the strategy, present and approve the document by the end of the year.

Strategy Development
Strategy Development

The strategic mission of the Hoshcha Territorial Community is a clear and unwavering desire to become a successful and prosperous community, where business development, investment attraction, development of rural areas and creation of a happy environment for children would be harmoniously combined.

Its special pride will be the implementation of the project “Usmishka Tymoshi” for the treatment of children suffering from cancer in the village of Duliby, creating not only a medical facility, but also the heart of the Community, where children and parents will receive the necessary help and support. 

Usmishka Tymoshi Christian Charity Foundation founded by the parents of Tymofii Sanko, who died from cancer
Usmishka Tymoshi Christian Charity Foundation founded by the parents of Tymofii Sanko, who died from cancer Source

Its good geographical location and transport routes, developed industrial infrastructure, fertile lands and hardworking people – all this creates amazing opportunities for business development in the Community.

The development of women’s entrepreneurship contributes to the growth of the economy and the improvement of social well-being across the Community. Their ideas, energy and entrepreneurial spirit stimulate the development and transformation of the town, making it more dynamic and attractive for life and businesses.

Entrepreneurship training to expand and scale existing businesses
Entrepreneurship training to expand and scale existing businesses Source

Environmental awareness is formed and nature conservation is emphasized across the Community from childhood.

Maliatko Kindergarten, thematic events “Sort the garbage correctly” and “Eco-feeder made of recycled materials”
Maliatko Kindergarten, thematic events “Sort the garbage correctly” and “Eco-feeder made of recycled materials” Source

   The Hoshcha Community supports the revival of traditional crafts as an important part of cultural heritage.

Revival of the ancient manual blacksmith’s craft in Hoshcha
Revival of the ancient manual blacksmith’s craft in Hoshcha Source

A successful community means an emphasis on preserving the health, well-being and safety of its residents, especially children. 

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