Borzna

Chernihiv
Population:

Total: 16,276 people
Men: 8,626
Women: 7,650
Children (aged 0-18): 2,791
People aged 65+: 5,021
Area: 537.37 km2
The community includes 1 town and 21 villages.

History

Borzna is one of the oldest settlements of the Siver Land and was first mentioned in 1,239. In 1638, Borzna was a developed Cossack town. Today, it is a beautiful, picturesque town and the centre of the Borzna territorial community.

One of the most famous historical monuments is Hannyna Pustyn – a historical and memorial reserve museum, where the grave of the Ukrainian writer and ethnographer Panteleimon Kulish is located.

Hannyna Pustyn Historical and Memorial Reserve Museum
Hannyna Pustyn Historical and Memorial Reserve Museum Source
The building of the Borzna secondary school (now P. Kulish Gymnasium)
The building of the Borzna secondary school (now P. Kulish Gymnasium) Source

Economy and Well-Being

The community’s economy is focused on agriculture, where crop production prevails: here they grow grain and technical crops. Pig farming is the key business in animal husbandry. There are several large agricultural enterprises that fill the local budget and provide jobs.

There are 7 schools, 8 preschools and 2 out-of-school education institutions in the community. 12 medical institutions (1 hospital, 3 dispensaries and 8 paramedic and midwifery stations) take care of the residents’ health.

P. Kulish Gymnasium / source: Borzna Town Council
P. Kulish Gymnasium / source: Borzna Town Council

Borzna Music Fest, a popular music festival is held in Borzna on a yearly basis gathering performers from all over Ukraine. The festival unites thousands of lovers of live music, crazy drive and positive emotions.

After the victory of Ukraine in the war, the festival is planned to be restored.

Borzna Music Fest
Borzna Music Fest Source

Mayor of Borzna Larysa Osadchuk coordinated the provision of humanitarian and medical aid to temporarily displaced persons.

A local college provided shelter for hundreds of displaced persons, while town council employees helped find accommodation for guests. The authorities, the local residents – all of them united to help the people who found themselves in this terrible situation. Psychologists of community educational institutions provided psychological support to both adults and children.

Transfer of medical preparations and medicines to medical institutions of the community
Transfer of medical preparations and medicines to medical institutions of the community Source

Russian military convoys (approximately 450 tanks) moved through the town of Borzna and nearby villages. As a result of Russian aggression, the road infrastructure of the community was damaged severely: local roads, sidewalks and the town square. Tanks left track marks on roads and roadsides. People suffered from a significant lack of food and medicine, but, luckily, there were no casualties among the civilian population.

Road surface damaged by Russian military convoys / source: Borzna Town Council
Road surface damaged by Russian military convoys / source: Borzna Town Council
Delivery of humanitarian aid to soldiers of the 30th Nizhyn rifle battalion
Delivery of humanitarian aid to soldiers of the 30th Nizhyn rifle battalion Source

People of the Community

Borzna Mayor Larysa Osadchuk 

Governs the town of Borzna since 2020.

Since the first days of the war, she has coordinated the provision of aid to temporarily displaced persons from other regions of Ukraine together with volunteers.

The community also supports the Ukrainian military. Local resident Dmytro Sitalo is a good example of volunteer. With his own funds, he repeatedly bought vehicles, protection, food and other necessary items for the military.

The trip of volunteers from the Borzna neighbourgood to the Donetsk region with a humanitarian mission
The trip of volunteers from the Borzna neighbourgood to the Donetsk region with a humanitarian mission Source

Development Strategy

The main areas recorded in the development strategy of the Borzna territorial community are as follows: creating a comfortable and safe space for living, conducting business, and developing the community’s own production forces.

A fountain in the local park/source: Borzna Town Council
A fountain in the local park/source: Borzna Town Council

For this purpose, the community plans to create a police station. It is planned that the Centre for the Provision of Administrative Services (CPAS) will move to the renovated building and the number of services provided will increase. Also, the plans include the implementation of the project entitled Active parks – locations of a healthy Ukraine which provides for installing sports grounds, purchasing a water purification station, and other initiatives.

Local playground/ source: Borzna Town Council
Local playground/ source: Borzna Town Council

Local businesses will also get opportunities to enhance and extend their capacities, which will increase the number of jobs in the community.

If you want to contact an Ukrainian community or have additional questions regarding the project please contact us: [email protected]