Bilolutsk Territorial Community

History

The settlement of Bilolutsk was founded in the seventeenth century as a border sloboda named Bila Luka by settlers from Right-Bank Ukraine who were escaping oppression. The first written mention dates back to the year 1643. The community has a rich history reaching back to the Palaeolithic era, when mammoth hunters lived in this area. The territory was influenced by the Cimmerians, Scythians, Sarmatians, Cumans and Mongol-Tatars. In the Cossack era, Bilolutsk was part of the Ostrohozkyi Regiment. In the eighteenth–nineteenth centuries, it became a centre of agriculture, crafts and trade. The twentieth century brought revolutions, the Holodomor, war and reconstruction. Historical landmarks have been preserved, among them the Holy Trinity Church (1885), as well as traditional crafts such as wickerwork, embroidery and the production of homemade yeast.

Economy and Welfare

The natural resource potential of the community before the war was an important factor for the development of agriculture, recreational activity and the maintenance of ecological balance. Among the natural assets of the community are river valleys, numerous ravines, lakes and shelterbelts. These territories ensure the preservation of biodiversity: here live Red Book species of birds and animals, and rare steppe vegetation grows. The subsoil of the Bilolutsk Territorial Community is characterised by deposits of mineral raw materials for the production of building materials (sand, loam, chalk). Within its boundaries there are two explored deposits of brick and tile raw material (loam) with balance reserves of 1,013 and 194 million tonnes, and explored deposits of construction chalk with reserves of 4,985 thousand tonnes.

Before the full-scale invasion, the economy of the community had an agricultural profile, supplemented by trade and services. A total of 179 enterprises and small businesses were operating. The structure of the economy was as follows: 54% trade, 15% agriculture, 13% budgetary sphere. The trading network consisted of 73 shops and 9 household service enterprises. Branches of Oschadbank, the border guard service, a customs post and a State Fire and Rescue Unit were operating.

The agricultural sector included 9 agricultural enterprises and 19 farms that cultivated 27.2 thousand hectares of land, grew cereals and sunflower, and raised cattle and pigs.

The social infrastructure included schools, libraries and cultural institutions. Projects were planned for energy efficiency, the development of small business, and the improvement of medical and educational services. Today entrepreneurs retain their registration in the community, but most have not resumed their activities in the government-controlled territory of Ukraine.

Priorities include the restoration of agricultural production, attracting investments, rebuilding roads, social infrastructure, schools and pre-school educational institutions.

The Community and the War

On 24 February 2022, the community found itself under temporary occupation, having suffered serious losses – agricultural lands were destroyed and mined, equipment ruined, logistics broken, and population displaced. Despite the difficult circumstances, the community maintains unity. The Bilolutsk Military Administration operates in evacuation, organises support for internally displaced persons, coordinates humanitarian assistance, and pays great attention to the health care and recreation of children. Support programmes are actively implemented – material assistance is provided to combatants. The Administrative Services Centre has resumed its work, providing services in Kyiv and Cherkasy.

In the educational sphere, Bilolutsk Lyceum and the pre-school education institution “Kolobok” were relocated. They continue to provide educational services remotely, maintaining connections with pupils and parents, supporting the learning process and the psychological stability of children. Teachers and educators have adapted programmes to the online format, conducting lessons, educational hours and activities to preserve national identity and cultural traditions.

An important line of activity is support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other security structures. The community provides military units with financial assistance to purchase necessary equipment, machinery and gear.

Employees of the Military Administration in various cities of Ukraine work in humanitarian centres of Luhansk Oblast, where they provide consultations and administrative and legal services, and organise events for displaced persons from Luhansk Oblast. Volunteer initiatives assist defenders and civilians, and preserve cultural traditions. An example is the activity of the Charitable Foundation “Ochyma Viiny”.

People of the Community

Since 23 September 2022, Oleksandr Kozych has been appointed Head of the Bilolutsk Town Military Administration.

In conditions of occupation of the settlements of the Territorial Community by the Russian aggressor, the main aim of the Military Administration is to ensure the reliable functioning of the community.
Its work focuses on the social and humanitarian spheres, ensuring the rights and needs of internally displaced persons from among the residents of the community, creating financial, organisational, legal and technical mechanisms for maintaining the social climate, overcoming the consequences of hostilities and occupation in the settlements of the community, creating conditions for the recovery of economic growth, and attracting internal and external investments.

The community is proud of its people who, in the most difficult time for the country, stood up to defend its independence and freedom. Today, 50 residents of the community serve in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other defence forces, carrying out combat missions at the front and in the rear.

Unfortunately, 10 defenders have given their lives for Ukraine.

Residents of the community are actively involved in the volunteer movement, helping the army, organising the collection of funds, food, equipment and necessary supplies. Children and young people participate in patriotic events and campaigns in support of the military, creating drawings, letters and charms for the defenders.

Among the active community leaders are volunteers, founders of the Charitable Foundation “Ochyma Viiny”, the couple Svitlana and Serhii Rubliov, who from the first days of the war have selflessly helped Ukrainian defenders – from fundraising and purchasing equipment to organising humanitarian initiatives at the front.

Development Strategy

Work on the draft Development Strategy of the Bilolutsk Town Territorial Community began in 2021, but due to the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation in February 2022, its adoption was suspended. Currently, the community is operating in accordance with the Programme of Socio-Economic and Cultural Development for 2024–2027, which takes into account the challenges of wartime and the priorities of post-de-occupation recovery.

The key directions of the programme are: restoration and modernisation of infrastructure, support for the agro-industrial complex, development of social services, improvement of medical care, creation of new jobs and attraction of investments.

To implement these tasks, the community has concluded a number of memoranda of cooperation with humanitarian, charitable, international and state organisations. Among its partners are the Red Cross of Ukraine, USAID, the NGO “Ukrainian Peace Movement”, the “Zrostai” Foundation, “Caritas Mariupol”, communities of Luhansk Oblast, the Luhansk Oblast Employment Centre, as well as sports and educational institutions.

Joint projects with partners are aimed at supporting IDPs, providing humanitarian, legal and psychological assistance, developing alternative energy sources, integrating displaced persons into host communities, increasing employment levels, and developing sport and physical culture.

After de-occupation, the community plans a rapid transition from humanitarian support to active economic development, modernisation of the social sphere, the introduction of a barrier-free environment, and the expansion of opportunities for equal participation of all community members in its development. Plans include the restoration of agricultural production, creation of new jobs, development of border infrastructure, and expansion of cooperation with military units for the security of the region.

The war has also caused significant environmental damage: land balance has been disrupted, there is a risk of soil and water pollution, and degradation of the natural environment. Therefore, in the future, the restoration of nature will become one of the main conditions for the return to normal life in the community.

Sources

• Website of the Bilolutsk Town Military Administration bilolucka-gromada.gov.ua
• Official Facebook page of the Bilolutsk Town Military Administrationwww.facebook.com
• Wikipedia zakon.rada.gov.ua
• (Presidential Decree on the appointment of O.M. Kozych)