Berezivka Territorial Community

History

The town of Berezivka plays the role of a natural center of social, cultural and economic life of the community. Judging by archaeological findings, the territory of today’s Berezivka community was inhabited at the end of the 11th century BC. This is evidenced by numerous mounds located on the territory of Berezivka. Later, there was a parking lot for Chumaks who went to the Perekop salt lakes

Its modern history begins in 1802. At that time, it was a place of concentration of various crafts and trade.

According to the census of 1887, more than 185 farms were engaged in trade in Berezivka. Twice a month large bazaars were held here. They sold wheat, flour, cereals, cattle, and timber.

To store a large amount of goods until the end of the 19th century, grain warehouses were built in the town. Also there were grocery and haberdashery shops. Even then, Berezivka created traditions of small entrepreneurship in the trade sector.

Since 1869, the church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, built at the expense of the parishioners, has been operating in the town.

In 1918-1920, Berezivka was a stronghold of Ukrainian insurgent units.

Economy and Welfare

The majority of economic entities are engaged in agriculture.

There are 129 agricultural enterprises in the community, ranging in size from 6 to 4,454 hectares. The agricultural sector of the community specializes in the cultivation of grain and technical crops.

There is an agricultural formation engaged in the development of animal husbandry in the community. Also there are enterprises engaged in food industry and processing of agricultural products.

The community pays great attention to the inclusion. An inclusive resource center operates here, which has undergone major repairs. 41 children with special educational needs of the Berezivka urban community are under the supervision of the center, and the services of a psychologist and a speech therapist are also provided here. Thanks to such a center, children return to a quality life, socialize, and learn.

The community also has a mobile inclusive resource center. This is a special purpose car with the possibility of transporting people with disabilities in wheelchairs and equipment for comprehensive psychological and pedagogical assessment of children’s development.

The emergency department of the central town hospital was repaired and a modern X-ray machine and tomograph were purchased.

The Berezivka Higher Vocational College of the Odesa National Polytechnic University is located in the Berezivka community. Future carpenters, hairdressers, restaurant service workers and others are educated here. There is also a state educational institution, Berezivka Professional Agrarian Lyceum. 

The fact that the community has its own educational institutions contributes to young peoples’ choice to stay here.

Community and War

With the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the residents of the Berezivka territorial community showed their solidarity. Reception points were created, where caring residents brought food and canned goods, clothes, dishes, bed linen, and basic necessities. They were sent to the military and residents of the territories affected by hostilities. In addition, the residents of the community united their efforts and joined the process of weaving camouflage nets for the military.

Funds for the needs of military personnel are constantly allocated from the community’s local budget. Charity fairs are held in the community to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Berezivka community received 1,300 internally displaced persons. Some of them returned to the de-occupied territories. 600 displaced people still live in the community, which became their temporary shelter. Here, they regularly support and provide humanitarian aid to vulnerable categories of the population.

Funds for the treatment of military personnel are allocated from the local budget. One-time financial assistance is paid to the families of fallen soldiers and monuments are made to the soldiers who gave their lives defending our Motherland.

Residents participate in fundraising to purchase bulletproof vests, communications equipment, and other equipment that helps the military carry out their duties in wartime and ensures their safety.

People of the Community

In the Berezivka community, they are engaged in the development of physical culture and sports. Football, volleyball championships among men’s and women’s teams, open personal championships in table tennis, blitz tournaments in chess and checkers are held here.

Athletes of the Berezivka community take part in regional, all-Ukrainian and international sports competitions in the most popular sports, and the participation of community teams in leagues, tournaments and regional championships in sports cultivated in the community is ensured.

A children’s and youth sports school, Sports Club Kolos operates on the territory of the community. It has simulators, a tennis court, a mini football field, a roller rink, a martial arts club.

The community’s welfare is an important aspect of its development. Here, they work on improving the condition of roads, green the territories and create comfortable zones for the residents and guests of the town to relax, hold public meetings and tree-planting campaigns on the territory of the community.

A fire and rescue unit works on the territory of the community. Lifeguards organize events where children learn about safety rules in a game format. Contests and quizzes on knowledge of mine and fire safety rules are held here.

Before the large-scale invasion, the City Day celebration was a traditional event in the community. During the event, outstanding city residents were awarded, a concert, a fair, and sports competitions were held.

When a child is born in the Berezivka community, the parents receive a child’s certificate, a photo album and a commemorative anniversary badge.

In addition, the practice of annually awarding financial aid to first-graders and medalists was established in the community. Each first-grader and graduate receives a branded cup of the community. Gifted children of the community receive the prize of the Berezivka Mayor, Talents of the Berezivka Area.

Development Strategy

The management team is working on updating the existing Community Development Strategy. The priority goals are as follows:

• economic development and population employment;
• improvement of the quality of life, safety and formation of a cohesive community;
• ensuring access to quality services in the field of education, culture, health care, social protection and sports;
• protection of community residents against russian armed aggression; building trust between the authorities and community residents;
• preservation of the environment.

In today’s reality, the community is constantly increasing expenses for current and capital repairs of educational institutions, repair and arrangement of shelters. With the aim of efficient use of energy resources, it replaces heating boilers in communal educational and health care facilities.

Funded by the European Investment Bank, Lyceum No. 2, within the framework of the “Ukraine Renovation Program”, won a competition for the capital renovation of the educational institution, which involves the renovation of the dining hall, the construction of a sports ground, and the capital renovation of the internal premises and classrooms of the educational institution. Currently, work on this project has already begun.

Stable socio-economic development of the community requires an anticipatory increase of investment resources. The community has created a list of investment objects, which can be viewed on the community’s official website.

List of Sources

• Official website of the Berezivka Town Council
• Facebook Page of the Berezivka Town Council
• Wikipedia
• Community Facebook page
• Facebook page of the head of the community