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Stryi Territorial Community
Lviv
Population:
The Stryi urban territorial community is located in the Stryi district of Lviv region.
Total area: 549.8 km²
Population: 98,378 (as of 2020)
Men: ~46,500
Women: ~53,000
Children: ~15,000
People of retirement age: ~20,000
Internally displaced persons: over 10,000
The community includes 1 settlement, 45 villages and has its administrative center in the town of Stryi – an important transport hub and a center of industry, culture, and education.
History
The Stryi community has a rich historical heritage. The first written mention of the town of Stryi dates back to 1385. Stryi is not just a town, it is a living chronicle of Galician history.
In its heyday, Stryi merchants held a leading position in trade. Their connections stretched from the Balkans to the North Sea. Polish kings borrowed money from Stryi residents and the town’s markets teemed with goods from all over Europe – from salt and wine to iron and fabrics. But there were times when Stryi was on the verge of extinction. The town suffered from frequent floods that washed away fertile soil and from fires.
One of the greatest tragedies was the fire of 1886, which destroyed two-thirds of the town. But even after such destruction, the people of Stryi found the strength to rebuild their homes. In a short time, new houses were built on the site of the fires, and life returned to its usual rhythms.
In 1692, the Stryi River overflowed so much that the water washed away all the suburbs and reached the central Market Square. This was a disaster for the townspeople, who depended on the crops in the fields. Even more devastating was the year 1712, when fire, locusts, and plague devastated the town one after another. Empty houses stood desolate, and wolves roamed the streets. But even then, people returned to start a new life.
In the Middle Ages, the town had its own castle, well fortified and never taken by enemies. The castle served as the seat of power, housed a large library, and the building itself became a palace for one of the magnates.
Stryi has always been multinational: Ukrainians, Poles, Jews, Vlachs, Serbs, and Germans lived side by side, each adding their own culture and traditions to the overall face of the town.
Stryi became the first town in Ukraine to officially raise the blue-and-yellow flag over the town council. This was a real challenge to the then Soviet authorities. Local activists, not afraid of repression, gathered the community and held a solemn ceremony. This event became a symbol of a new era for the entire country.
Among the picturesque hills and forests not far from Stryi is the rock monastery in Rozhirche. This complex is one of the most interesting and mysterious sites in Western Ukraine. Its uniqueness lies not only in its architecture, but also in its mysterious history, which still remains the subject of research by historians and archaeologists.
The monastery is carved into a sandstone rock, and its origins date back to the 10th-13th centuries – the period of Kievan Rus. It is believed that this place was originally used by pagans for religious ceremonies, and with the advent of Christianity it became a hiding place for monks.
In the Middle Ages, the monastery was used not only as a place of prayer, but also as a defensive structure. Its shelters were almost impregnable, and natural conditions provided the monks with protection and autonomy. Today, the rock monastery in Rozhirchy is a popular tourist attraction. Lovers of history, architecture and natural beauty come here. The monastery is also part of one of the tourist routes that the Stryi community is actively developing.
The community has a palace, which was purchased in 2014 by three local families who began to restore it almost from scratch. At that time, it was completely dilapidated and only the walls remained. The palace is gradually being restored to its grandeur and luxury, with exquisite furniture brought from European antique shops and fairs. Now the palace welcomes tourists, organizes photo shoots and receptions.
Economy and Welfare
The community has convenient transport connections to other regions, including international destinations, and a railway hub, providing easy access to European markets. This creates favorable conditions for logistics, investment and business development.
The economic potential of the Stryi community is based on a strong industrial base, agricultural sector and support for small businesses. An important role in this is played by enterprises that have become the locomotives of the local economy. One of the key ones is LEONI Wiring Systems Ukraine, specializing in the production of cable systems for the automotive industry. The company employs over 4,000 people, making it the largest employer in the region.
The Ukrpol Publishing House Printing Plant is also an important element of the community’s economy. Its products are exported to European Union countries, which emphasizes the competitiveness of local producers on the international market.
Another significant player is the special vehicle plant Citius S, which has been relocated from the war zone twice. The plant specializes in the production of bodies for motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, as well as the shaping and processing of sheet glass.
In addition to manufacturing industry, the community is actively developing the agricultural sector. The community uses more than 30 thousand hectares of land, which are occupied by arable land and pastures. The main crops are wheat, corn and potatoes. It is important to note that more than 20% of the grown products are exported to European countries, which emphasizes their high quality and environmental friendliness.
Family Mall shopping and entertainment center in Stryi, Lviv region is planned to be opened in the first quarter of 2025. The total area will be over 26,000 sq m, of which 17,000 sq m will be for rent. The opening of the second phase is planned for the first quarter of 2026.
The community also began creating a “Resilience Center”, which will provide residents with access to modern social and administrative services.
These initiatives demonstrate not only the economic potential of the community, but also its ability to attract investments, support sustainable development, and effectively respond to the challenges of modern times. The Stryi community is an example of a successful combination of traditional management and innovative approaches.
The community has 36 schools, about 30 kindergartens, 8 outpatient clinics, and a town hospital.
The Stryi community pays significant attention to the development of sports, supporting both professional and amateur initiatives. The main sports symbol of the community is the football club “Skala 1911”, which has a long history and remains a source of pride for residents. The club participates in national competitions, representing the area at a high level, and also actively promotes the development of children’s and youth football.
In addition to football, the community supports other sports. Regular sports competitions are held, including track and field tournaments, volleyball, tennis, and martial arts competitions. The opening of new sports grounds in the community’s villages helps promote an active lifestyle among young people.
Community and War
With the outbreak of full-scale war, the Stryi community became a reliable rear for the military and a shelter for internally displaced persons. Three humanitarian headquarters operate in the town, providing displaced persons with housing, food, and medical care. Ten enterprises from the affected regions relocated to the community, creating about 400 new jobs.
The community directs a significant portion of its resources to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thanks to the allocated funds, it was possible to purchase modern military equipment, including dozens of drones of various types, optical devices, quadcopters, radio-electronic means, night vision devices, as well as starlinks and charging stations.
In addition, the community supplies the military with ATVs, rehabilitation equipment, spare parts for equipment, batteries, and much more. The Stryi community works daily to bring victory closer and support those fighting for the freedom of Ukraine.
The Stryi Town Council, in cooperation with volunteer organizations, allocated almost UAH 600 thousand for drone components. Volunteers from the “Ridnia” Foundation made “birds” out of them and Deputy Mayor Andrii Stasiv presented them to the military at the civil society forum. In total, more than 100 drones were handed over.
Community People
Oleh Kanivets has been the head of the Stryi community since 2020.
Thanks to his leadership, a number of important projects aimed at developing the community and improving conditions for its residents were implemented.
One of the key achievements was the creation of a single cluster hospital, which united all medical institutions of the community. This allowed not only to optimize their work, but also to improve the quality of medical services. The opening of the “Women’s Health Center” and the rehabilitation department was an important step in the development of health care.
In addition, under the leadership of Oleh Kanivets, a modern approach to ecology was introduced. The town’s solid waste landfill was transformed into a modern ecological facility with clear control. This project not only averted an ecological catastrophe, but also became a source of income for the community.
Much attention has been paid to social support. In 2024, a comprehensive program of assistance to military personnel and their families was approved, for which more than UAH 16 million was allocated.
The Stryi community is actively attracting international investments. In cooperation with UNICEF, UNDP and other organizations, they are implementing infrastructure restoration projects, including the construction of a “Resilience Center” and the reconstruction of social protection facilities.
Among the significant events in the community are the festival “Boikivski Vechornytsi”, sports events, as well as large-scale charitable initiatives to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Oleh Kanivets continues to form a strategic approach, focusing on sustainable community development and attracting new resources.
At the initiative of the head of the community, Oleh Kanivets, a project has been developed to create a Football Academy, which will become a base for training future athletes. The plans include the reconstruction of the existing infrastructure, in particular the stadium, the construction of a modern training complex with football fields, a dormitory for young athletes, and training classes. The implementation of the project will allow the community not only to develop its sports potential, but also to become a center for training football talents in the Lviv region.
Oleh Kanivets and Vasylyna Skoryk, a representative of the Czech organization “Person in Need”, signed a tripartite Memorandum that defines joint efforts in the field of supporting vulnerable groups of the population and internally displaced persons. The third party was the Rokada Charitable Foundation.
As part of this collaboration, the building will be renovated to house a multifunctional hub. It will serve as a space that will combine social services, access to information, and support for community residents, particularly the most vulnerable.
Development Strategy
The community has approved a Development Strategy until 2027, which covers key areas of the economy, infrastructure, tourism, and ecology. One of the priorities is the creation of an industrial park on an area of almost 14 hectares. This project will attract investors, create about 700 new jobs, and support the relocation of enterprises from the affected regions.
The community’s infrastructure is also being actively modernized. Significant efforts are being made to reconstruct the roads connecting the population centers, as well as to upgrade the transport network, which will make travel more comfortable for residents. Particular attention is paid to the reconstruction of the building, which will become a business center and multifunctional hub in Stryi. Another important initiative is the creation of a Football Academy, which should become a base for training young athletes and a new point of growth for the community in the sports sector.
The environmental component of the strategy focuses on cleaning the Stryi River and strengthening the dam, which will help protect the area from floods and create comfortable conditions for recreation. It is also planned to install solar panels in municipal facilities, which will contribute to the community’s energy independence and reduce its impact on the environment.
Thanks to funding from the international organization GIZ, a modern business center will be opened in Stryi, which will become a platform for the development of small and medium-sized businesses.
The Stryi community is actively developing its industrial potential thanks to the Dolyna Stryi Industrial Park project, approved in 2022. This park is located on a 13.95-hectare site within the town’s established industrial zone. Its main goal is to attract investment, create jobs, and support the relocation of enterprises from the eastern regions of Ukraine affected by the war.
The park is focused on the development of processing industry, mechanical engineering, electronic equipment production and other high-tech industries. Among the advantages are ready-made infrastructure, proximity to international transport routes and the railway, as well as favorable conditions for investors, which include reduced tax rates and support for business development.
The project contributes to the integration of the community into the European economy, ensuring its competitiveness and long-term sustainable development.