Borodianka Territorial Community

History

Human settlements have been located on the territory of the Borodianka community since ancient times. This is evidenced by archaeological and paleontological finds dating back to the Mesolithic. During the times of Kyivan Rus, there was a settlement called Kozyatychi on the site of the today’s settlement (the first written mention of it dates back to 1190). In 1240, the Mongol-Tatars destroyed Kozyatychi, but the settlement was later revived.

In different historical periods, the Borodianka community was part not only of Kyivan Rus, but also of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Hetmanship, the Muscovite Empire, etc. Even Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi was the owner of Borodianka. In 1917-1920, the troops of Petliura, Shchors, Othman Orlyk and Polish legions passed through the territory of the modern Borodianka community.

In 1963, a rural vocational technical school was opened in the district center (presently known as the Borodianka Agrarian Lyceum). Coincidently, the new highway Kyiv – Kovel passed through the district.

In the mid-70s, construction of the Borodianka Excavator Plant began in the Borodianka district. The first excavator rolled off the company’s production line in January 1978. More than 250,000 excavators were produced in total.

In 1978, the Borodianka boarding house for people with disabilities and the elderly was opened.

In 1986, as a result of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the district was included in the zone of enhanced radio-ecological control and all residents received the status of category 4 victims. New massifs and even villages – Novyi Korohod and Nove Zalissia – were built for the settlers.

In 1936, an airfield was built in the village of Borodianka, which was used as a reserve one for strategic aviation. On the territory of the “Borodianka” airfield, familiarization, demonstration and sports parachute jumps are organized.

Currently, the Borodianka community is becoming an increasingly attractive place for tourists, among whom there are also creative people. So, as a sign of support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, the world-famous street artist Banksy left two symbolic graffiti on the walls of destroyed buildings, which do not leave anyone indifferent around the world.

Economy and Welfare

The main branches of the community’s economy are agriculture, woodworking and aluminum industry. In addition, local enterprises are involved in the food industry, trade (retail and wholesale), restaurant business, etc.

Companies with foreign investments are operating on the territory of the community: “Alupol” (aluminum extrusion), “Michel” (forestry), “Kotoma” (duck breeding). The community also has significant land resources and large peat deposits.

There are many reservoirs on the territory of the Borodianka community, which are a popular recreation area both for the residents themselves and for people from other communities. Tourism is also gaining special development. Recreation and tourism are priority areas for investment that can improve the state of the community’s economy.

It is worth noting that the project of the Rehabilitation Center for Veterans “Borodianka-Center” was implemented on the territory of the Borodianka community, on the site of the Center for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation of the Population in Borodianka, which was destroyed by a tank hit by the rusian occupiers. Thus, the new facility provides comprehensive psychosocial rehabilitation services to war veterans and their families. The restoration of the Center was patronized by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who donated 100,000 dollars for its reconstruction – a monetary reward, which he received together with the Medal of Freedom that is awarded in the USA to prominent world figures.

The community has a widely developed education sector. Thus, 11 general educational institutions, 6 preschool education institutions and “Borodianka Professional Agrarian Lyceum” operate on its territory.

It should be noted that special attention is paid to children with special educational needs. Educational institutions of the Borodianka community actively introduce new methods and improve the educational process so that all students have the opportunity to comfortably and effectively learn the educational material and socialize. The community is actively working on this issue and already has projects in development that include these aspects.

The reconstruction project of the Lithuanian-Ukrainian Lyceum No. 1 deserves special attention. With the support of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania, a new anti-radiation shelter was built and the Lithuanian-Ukrainian Lyceum No. 1 was restored. A modern European lyceum with an anti-radiation shelter in Borodianka is a “Lithuanian gift to Ukraine”.

The Max Levin Borodianka Center of Children’s and Youth Creativity also operates in the community. The institution’s building was completely destroyed as a result of hostilities, and today teachers and students are forced to work in rented premises with limited resources.

In addition, the spheres of culture, sports and medicine are developed in the Borodianka Territorial Community. However, due to hostilities, these institutions have suffered significant destruction and are in need of reconstruction.

Ceremonial events in honor of national holidays are constantly held on the territory of the community. Special attention is paid to the preservation of customs and traditions in the lives of residents. Various sports and cultural events aimed at all age categories of the population are also held.

Community and War

The burned, mutilated, tattered Borodianka became a symbol of strength of spirit and indomitable will. Photos of completely destroyed buildings, a shot monument to Taras Shevchenko, a kitchen cupboard and a majolica rooster clinging to the wall of a destroyed high-rise building went viral all over the world.

Immediately after the de-occupation, people began to return home to restore and continue life in the Borodianka area. During the hostilities in 2022, the Borodianka settlement territorial community suffered significant destruction. 2,234 objects were completely or partially destroyed.

Thanks to the help of international foundations and organizations, the community was able to restore 11 high-rise buildings and 892 private houses. 42 private houses and 5 apartment buildings were dismantled. However, 28 high-rise buildings and 1,062 private houses have not been restored in Borodianka and the villages of the community yet. More than 5,000 residents of the community cannot return home due to lack of housing. That is why the community is actively looking for investments and assistance to restore the housing sector.

Despite the horrors of the occupation, the population of the community actively participates in the defense of their Motherland. From the very first days of the full-scale occupation, the Territorial Defense Forces were created, which later joined the defense of the country in the eastern and southern directions. In memory of the fallen soldiers-heroes in the village of Borodianka, the Alley of Glory was organized on the territory of the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Also, in the first months of de-occupation, the affected residents of the community organized their own volunteer movement, which actively supports servicemen both from our community and from other regions of Ukraine. Also, thanks to the efforts of volunteers and caring residents of the community, net weaving points were organized in most population centers, which have been providing the military with the necessary materials for the third year. The community is actively working for the victory of Ukraine.

The community pays special attention to helping internally displaced persons. 3,945 people found shelter within its borders.

People of the Community

For a smart and sustainable reconstruction, the new team of Iryna Zakharchenko developed a Plan for the Recovery of the Borodianka Settlement Territorial Community for 2024-2034 based on the results of the forum.

The community pays special attention to national holidays. Thus, the Ivan Kupala feast is celebrated every year in the village of Druzhnia and Shrovetide is annually held in Borodianka. Also, on the territory of the Borodianka Territorial Community, the ethno-festival “Family Tree” is organized every year, in which local and neighboring amateur folk art collectives participate.

Development Strategy

Special attention was paid to the Development Strategy of the Borodianka settlement territorial community. Since 2020, work in this direction has been actively and persistently carried out. Borodianka is actively promoted at international events as a community that needs to be restored not tomorrow, but already today. Borodianka was presented at the Recovery Forum Ukraine 2022, the Rebuild Ukraine international exhibition-forum in Warsaw, Urban Resilience Week in Geneva, the ACT NOW 2023 conference of mayors in Brussels.

On December 16, 2023, the all-Ukrainian forum “Borodianka: the future of the community” was held, at which the problems of restoring the Borodianka settlement community were analyzed and mechanisms and solutions for the reconstruction of the Borodianka area were worked out with the participation of experts and representatives of specialized state institutions.

The result of fruitful work was the Plan for the Recovery and Development of the Borodianka Territorial Community for 2024-2034, available at the link: https://bsr.gov.ua/plan-vidnovlennya-Borodiankaoyi-gramady/

The main strategic goals of the community are as follows:

• development of tourist business and general entertainment areas;
• health industry (creation of modern hospitals, dispensaries, preventative clinics, health care centers);
• infrastructure development (roads, parks, sports fields);
• development of small and medium-sized businesses;
• development of farms;
• development of the industrial park and production enterprises;
• environmental protection and implementation of environmental protection measures (water treatment facilities, garbage disposal);
• development of transport and communications.

List of Sources

• Official website of the Borodianka Settlement Council 
• Official website of acting Borodianka Settlement Head Iryna ZAKHARCHENKO 
• Assets in the Borodianka Territorial Community that were damaged as a result of military activities 
• Borodianka Community Recovery Plan