VELYKOPLOSKE TERRITORIAL COMMUNITY

History

The Velykoploske Territorial Community was formed in June 2019 by way of the three Village Councils of Slovianoserbka, Trostyanets and Novosavytska joining the Velykoploske Village Council.

The community includes 12 population centers and has its administrative center in the village of Velykoploske which was founded by Russian Old Orthodox Christians (Old Believers) – settlers from the village of Ploske, Oleksandriya uyezd, Kherson province.

The religious reform, initiated in the middle of the 17th century by Patriarch Nikon with the support of the Russian Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, caused a real church split. All those who observed the old rites (Old Believers, Old Ritualistі, Raskolniks) were subjected to anathema, and the church and the government began to persecute them.

Fleeing from persecution, the Old Believers settled in sparsely populated areas and localities. Following this resettlement, the Old Believers in the Oleksandriya District of the Kherson Province founded the village of Ploske striving for free exercise of their religion. 

After the war with Napoleon and the accession of Bessarabia to Russia, the economy of the empire was in a difficult situation. The impossibility of demobilizing the army and maintaining recruitment sets caused protest from the peasantry, which limited the country’s economy. 

Alexander I supported the initiative of Defense Minister Arakcheev to create military settlements. This would make it possible to form a large reserve of troops without additional costs. All able-bodied peasants under the age of 45 were transferred to settlements, becoming farmers and soldiers.

The residents of Ploske, Oleksandriya district, asked to exclude their village from the military settlements. The decision was made on May 28, 1821: the general plan was not changed, but the people of Ploske were asked to vacate the land and move to the Tiraspol county. This is how a new place to live was chosen – the modern territory of the village of Velykoploske

When moving, the men brought a dismantled wooden church and icons, restored it, and began to build houses around the church.

After some time, the wooden church in the village of Velykoploske was burned by a lightning strike. The population of the village decided to build a new stone church on the same place. Construction began in the late 1830s and was completed at the end of the next decade. It was dedicated to the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, which is celebrated on September 27. The church still operates today, and September 27, according to the decision of the Velykoploske Village Council, was set as the date of celebration of the Day of the Village of Velykoploske.

Economy and Welfare

The greatest natural resource of the Velykoploske community is its land.

Seven large limited liability companies, one agricultural production cooperative specializing in agricultural production, and about 20 peasant farms operate on the territory of the community.

An important role in the socio-economic development of the community is played by small and medium-sized businesses which are mainly engaged in retail trade.

The development of beekeeping, horticulture and vegetable growing is gaining momentum among the local population.

There are four secondary schools and two preschool educational institutions operating in the community. Transportation of children to schools and free meals have been organized here.

The communal non-profit enterprise “Center of Primary Health Care of the Velykoploske Village Council” takes care of the health of the community residents.

Community and War

With the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine, all the efforts of the community are aimed at helping the defenders and increasing the state’s defense capabilities. The Village Council provides assistance both in the purchase of fuel and lubricants, building materials, precast concrete stones and catering, and in providing the territorial defense brigade with vehicles.

Agricultural companies are also fully involved in the work (digging trenches, dugouts, production of anti-tank hedgehogs, provision of reinforced concrete slabs, pillars etc.).

Today, the community actively holds charity events, fairs, and announces fundraisers. The local population donates blood for the fighters.

The Village Council constantly provides humanitarian aid to internally displaced persons, vulnerable sections of the population living in the territory of the Velykoploske community; all residents receive a full range of administrative and social services.

People of the Community

During the short time of its existence, the community managed to implement such important projects as free meals for all pupils, organize transportation of children to school, and purchase a new school bus.

They created inclusive classes for pupils with special educational needs, as well as safety classes to provide students with knowledge, in particular, of fire and mine safety, self-defense skills, which is extremely important in the conditions of martial law.

Renovations of schools in starosta-headed districts were carried out, new solid fuel boilers were installed for the purpose of energy efficiency and as an alternative to natural gas, kitchen equipment was purchased.

Safe conditions for learning in schools under martial law were created and shelters were arranged.

The main event for the community was the opening of the communal non-profit enterprise “Center of Primary Health Care of the Velykoploske Village Council”. They renovated the premises, bought modern medical equipment, a car, and also a house for the family doctor. They plan to further develop medical services in the community to meet the health needs of the local population.

Also, they plan to complete the equipping of the community officer’s station in the near future and purchased furniture, computer equipment, and a car for this purpose. A candidate for the position of community officer has passed the selection process and is awaiting appointment.

The community keeps pace with the times, therefore, within the framework of digitalization, the Administrative Services Center of the Velykoploske Village Council provides high-quality and fast administrative services.

They also worked in the utilities sector and bought communal special equipment.

As part of the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and involvement of young people in sports, new gyms and outdoor sports grounds were built.

The community team is engaged in the improvement of the territory of the community – they laid new sidewalks, planted decorative thuja and fir trees along them, and installed lighting.

They ensure the satisfactory condition of the roads.

The community takes care of protecting the rights of the child.

Development Strategy

A working group was created to create a Development Strategy of the Velykoploske Rural Territorial Community for 2023-2030.

The main strategic areas of development include as follows:

• high-quality provision of administrative and social services;
• attraction of investments in the economy of the community;
• small business development;
• development of education;
• development of medicine;
• development of culture and sports;
• environmental protection;
• high level of safety of residents.

“Safe community” is one of the priority areas of the development strategy of the Velykoploske Rural Territorial Community.

As part of the National Police project “Community Police Officer” in 2021, a Memorandum of Cooperation and Partnership was signed. Thanks to this, the community will soon have its own officer who will work exclusively with community residents, listen to their problems and needs.

They are working on setting up video surveillance. Currently, 20 cameras are working. In 2024, it is planned to update the video surveillance systems in starosta-headed districts.

Also in 2021, a tripartite Memorandum of Cooperation and Partnership was signed between the Service for Reconstruction and Development of Infrastructure in Odesa Region, the Velykoploske Village Council and the Rostdorstroy Company to improve the operational condition of the public road of state importance. In 2023, 30 km of road surface was repaired.

List of Sources

• Official website of the community:
• velykoploskivska-gromada.gov.ua
• facebook.com 
• Interviews with community representatives