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Oleksandrivka Territorial Community
Zaporizhzhia
Population:
The Oleksandrivka Territorial Community is located on the territory of the Melitopol District of the Zaporizhzhya Region on the shores of Molochnyi Lyman, a coastal sault lake, and the Sea of Azov.
The total area of the territory is 625.4 km2.
The population of the community is 6,312 people (as of January 2022)
Women: 3,321 (as of January 2022)
Men: 2,991 (as of January 2022)
IDPs: 890 (residents who were forced to leave the territory of the community for the territory controlled by Ukraine)
The community includes 14 population centers. The administrative center of the community is located in the village of Oleksandrivka.
History
The village of Oleksandrivka was founded in 1861 by immigrants from Poltava Region, Kyiv Region, and Berdyansk District on the site of Tatly-Kulak Tatar village. Originally, the village was called Nevkus (Eng. “Tasteless”). According to legends it was called so because of the tasteless water from the local river. After the abolition of serfdom, it was renamed Oleksandrivka.
In 1918, Soviet power was established in the village. A credit bank operated here, providing loans to peasants. In the 1930s, 6 collective farms were created and a library, a club, a school and a hospital were opened.
During the Second World War, the village suffered significant destruction, but was liberated on September 21, 1943. Unfortunately, history repeated itself again and currently the russian invaders occupy the Oleksandrivka community.
During the times of independent Ukraine, the community focused on developing agricultural activities, alternative energy sources, and recreational areas.
The community preserves many historical monuments. 103 barrows from the period of the 4th millennium BC – the first half of the 2nd millennium AD were discovered on its territory.
The Pryazovskyi National Nature Park of national significance covers a large part of the community. It is also home to the Stepanivka Spit nature reserve of local importance and the Molochnyi Lyman hydrological nature reserve of state importance.
In 1906, the Holy Trinity Church was built here. The temple has a cross-domed layout and features neo-Byzantine style in architecture. Soon after the establishment of Soviet power, the church was partially destroyed. The last church service was held here in 1937.
There are two Albanian villages in the community – Divnynske and Heorhiivka. Every year in each village, the community celebrates the Dedication Day or the Village Day on the day of the foundation of the local church. It was an important holiday, on which the residents attended the liturgy in the morning and then gathered in the cultural center for a festive program in the evening. A dancing party continued until morning. Unfortunately, the occupation of the community by the troops of the russian federation deprived the inhabitants of these beloved holidays, traditions and peaceful life.
Economy and Welfare
The agro-industrial complex is the driving force of the Oleksandrivka community. More than 50 agricultural enterprises, including over 40 farms, operate here.
The main specialization of large producers is the cultivation of grain and oil crops.
In addition, green energy is developing in the community. Since 2020, the company “EuroCape” has been operating here, which in 2021 commissioned the first wind power plant with a capacity of 98.01 MW.
This project was supposed to contribute to Ukraine’s energy independence, preserve the natural environment, and be beneficial for local partners – citizens of Ukraine in the Melitopol area, as well as for shareholders and investors.
The community has access to the coast of the Sea of Azov. Before the full-scale invasion, the villages of Stepanivka Persha and Novokostiantynivka hosted many tourists in the summer who wanted to take a break from the city noise and enjoy the fresh sea air. Therefore, the Oleksandrivka community is attractive in terms of developing tourism business.
Community and War
The Oleksandrivka community was occupied in the first days of the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine.
Residents were left isolated due to the blocking of communications and the internet which led to shortages of essential goods such as medicine, food, fuel and cash. Many people were forced to leave their homes due to the terror of the occupiers.
In July 2023, the local self-government bodies of the community relocated to Zaporizhzhia, where contact was established with the residents who left the community.
In cooperation with charitable foundations, such as IAC ISHR, Posmishka UA, Melitopol Hub “Same Tut”, Red Cross Society of Ukraine, etc., displaced residents are provided with support in the form of food, bedding, hygiene and medical supplies.
Financial support is also provided to servicemen defending Ukraine and families of fallen and demobilized defenders from the community budget. The civilian population in a difficult financial situation is also supported.
Currently, the community is still under occupation. There are great risks of destruction and mining of critical infrastructure, residential buildings, educational institutions and objects of socio-cultural purpose. It is known that the valuable property has already been exported to russia.
Development Strategy
The Oleksandrivka community has a significant tourist potential, which is due to its natural diversity, the availability of historical, archeological and infrastructure monuments, and a convenient location.
The development of green tourism and recreation areas, as well as the construction of recreation and health facilities, is one of the priority directions for attracting investments.
The community has prerequisites for increasing the processing industrial potential due to free labor resources and the availability of territories that can be used for the placement of production facilities.
The availability of land plots within the community for the implementation of innovative projects, which will enable the creation of new jobs in the community, will enhance powerful economic development of the territory.
In the community, there are investment sites, such as Greenfields, land plots that can be used for the placement of alternative energy – installation of solar batteries and panels. Also, there are Brownfield type investment and land plots that can be used for the construction of shopping and entertainment complexes.
List of Sources
- Community website olexandrivska-gromada.gov.ua
- zotic.zp.ua
- suspilne.media
- wownature.in.ua
- 1news.zp.ua/
- t.me