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Shevchenkove Territorial Community
Cherkasy
Population:
The Shevchenkove community is located in the Cherkasy region in the center of Ukraine. It includes 9 population centers, including Shevchenkove village as the center of the community.
The total area of the community is 143.5 square kilometers
As of January 1, 2023, the population of the community was 4,398 people.
Woman: 2,385
Men: 2,013
Children: 675
Internally displaced persons: 168
History
The area of the Shevchenkove community has been inhabited since ancient times. This is evidenced by mounds from Scythian times discovered here.
The first mention of Kerelivka (the former name of Shevchenkovo) is found in historical sources of 1455. The Kereliv Forest and settlements between Vilshana and Lysyanka are indicated on the map of Ukraine drawn up in the middle of the 16th century by French engineer Beauplan. The Black Way ran nearby from the southeast to the northwest.
Several legends about the founder of the village have survived to our days. One of the legends says that there was a Cossack Kyrylo who was the first to settle on the edge of the forest near the river. The place was convenient, protected from all sides by forests and hills. Other people began to settle nearby, thus the settlement was formed.
The Shevchenkove community has a glorious history and a powerful spiritual potential, because it was here that the world-famous Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko spent his childhood years.
The history of the reserve begins with the history of the estate in Kerelivka where the poet spent his childhood.
The unique museum item of the reserve is the memorial hut where little Taras studied. In 1961 a glass pavilion was installed above the house, which protects the valuable cultural product from external influences and destruction.
Economy and Welfare
On the territory of the Shevchenkove community, there are three agricultural companies engaged in the cultivation of grain and technical crops, breeding of cattle, pigs, processing of agricultural products, and several small farms specializing in the production of grain and leguminous crops.
At the entrance to the village, residents and guests of the community are greeted by apple orchards. This is the peasant farm Yablunevy Sad (Apple Orchard). Mykola Oliynyk (the founder of the orchards) devoted 40 years of his life to breeding and growing the best varieties of apples and reached the international level of gardeners. At the same time, for all 40 years he has not engaged a single employee and dozens of hectares of gardens are treated by the entire Oliynyk family.
The Shevchenko community has an effective education sector. There are 2 secondary education institutions, 3 preschool education institutions and a higher education institution on the territory of the community.
The community also has a Culture and Leisure Center where local choreographic and folklore festivals are held and creative teams participate in various art competitions.
Also, the Shevchenko village council, together with the State Environmental Inspectorate of Ukraine, launched the all-Ukrainian Eco-action, Shevchenko unites Ukraine. For the implementation of the event, thousands of trees from young oak saplings have been planted in various parts of Ukraine. Seedlings are grown by the Shevchenko community from the acorns of a thousand-year-old tree, which is part of the botanical monument of nature – Taras Shevchenko’s Oaks in the village of Budyshche.
In the Shevchenkove community, the Alley of Invincibility was also planted with the participation of Head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration Ihor Taburets.
Community and War
Unfortunately, the war made adjustments in the life of every Ukrainian. Many projects had to be postponed, and hundreds of men and women of the community joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and defend the peace and security of the country with weapons in their hands. The community was not immune to cruelty of the war – 9 residents gave their lives to bring victory closer and return a peaceful sky to Ukraine. Those who remained in the rear are directing all their forces to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine and those affected by the consequences of the war.
Every resident of the Shevchenkove community joins in collecting necessary funds and things for the frontline.
The Shevchenkove Village Council Culture and Leisure Center regularly holds charity fairs and workshops. The proceeds are allocated to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Residents of the community actively participate in such events and bring our victory closer with joint efforts.
Since the beginning of the war, 168 forcibly displaced people found shelter in the Shevchenko community. For them, the Humanitarian Aid Center was set up and all the conditions for providing the necessary material, legal, and informational assistance were created. There is also a Point of Invincibility in the community.
The vocal trio Zhorzhyny is also a vivid example of the manifestation of the active public position of the Shevchenkove residents. The collective was formed last year, when three female vocalists decided to raise funds for the support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with their singing. Zhorzhyny has already purchased thermal imagers and quadcopters for the military. Fundraising for drones is now underway.
People of the Community
Shevchenkove Village Head Serhii Smalko was first elected to the post in October 2015.
According to the Village Head, the strengths of the community are intelligent and hardworking people, developed education and museum institutions, and therefore, in his activity, Serhii Smalko prioritizes the creation of new partnerships and cooperation for the development of the local economy, tourism, and agriculture.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, assistance to and support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine became another priority area of activity.
Development Strategy
- The basis of effective activity of the Shevchenkove village council is strategic planning of activities. The preparation of the strategic plan took place in accordance with the methodology proposed by the European Union Project Supporting Regional Development Policy in Ukraine.
- Development of business activities and tourism. It is planned to improve the situation due to the implementation of mechanisms to encourage and support small entrepreneurship and farming, the development of the service sector, the formation of tourist offers by the residents of the community and the promotion of representation of the community in national tourism projects. Particular attention will be paid to simplifying the activities of businessmen.
- Comfortable living conditions for the residents of the community thanks to the development of the residents of the community, their involvement in management processes, active work on the development of the educational, social and medical infrastructure of the united territorial community. The work of utility enterprises of the community will also be optimized.
- Environmental safety is the community’s priority. The main attention will be paid to reducing the strain on local natural resources, improving community landscaping, restoring its forest and water resources, as well as implementing alternative energy technologies as a means of reducing the load on the environment.
