Deliatyn Territorial Community

History

Deliatyn is first mentioned in historical sources in 1370. The settlement arose at the intersection of important trade routes through the Carpathians to Romania and Poland, quickly turning into a craft and trade centre. Over the centuries, Delyatyn was part of the Halych-Volyn Principality, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and interwar Poland, which influenced its architecture, culture, and traditions.

A special role in the development of the settlement was played by salt making. Deliatyn was one of the most famous salt extraction centres in Prykarpattia. Local residents have long extracted salt from natural salt springs, and by the 18th–19th centuries, saltworks operated here, supplying “white gold” far beyond Halychyna. In the 1920s, the Deliatyn saltworks were part of Poland’s state enterprises, and salt was even exported to Czechoslovakia. 

Based on salt springs, a tradition of salt baths emerged – therapeutic baths used to strengthen health, relieve fatigue, and improve skin condition. Deliatyn’s salt baths were known for their healing properties. 

At the end of the 19th century, a railway was laid through Deliatyn, contributing to the development of crafts, tourism, and a salt resort that attracted visitors from all over Halychyna.

Salt springs have been preserved to this day, testifying to ancient crafts and the region’s natural wealth.

Among the community’s architectural monuments are the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (18th century) with bells, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi (late 19th century), and the Deliatyn Local History Museum (Lagodynski Villa), where unique exhibits from the history of crafts are collected, including tools of ancient salt miners.

The community takes pride in its natural treasures: the “Liubizhnianskyi Huk” waterfall, “Morske Oko” lake, Syniachka Mountain, and Malyvo Mountain, to which an educational tourist route “Baronova Stezhka” leads, along which rare European yews grow, listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Economy and Welfare

The economic development of the Deliatyn Community is based on a combination of traditional crafts, woodworking, recreational, and tourism potential. The structure of the local economy is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises operating in agriculture, forestry, trade, wood processing, public catering, construction, services, and tourism.

The community has a favourable transport-geographical location – the state railway line and the H-09 highway, connecting Prykarpattia with Zakarpattia, pass through Deliatyn. This creates favourable conditions for investments, tourism development, and entrepreneurship.

During the operation of the Deliatyn Community, a number of successful local and regional development projects have been implemented:

• “Memory of the Past – Experience for the Future” – thanks to this project, the Deliatyn Local History Museum (Lagodynski Villa) was opened, becoming a true landmark of the community.
• “Best Ethnocultural Community” in the “Ethnocultural Region of Hutsulshchyna” nomination, in Deliatyn – the premises of the People’s House and the auditorium were repaired, allowing the restoration of the community’s cultural life.
• “Best Ethnocultural Community”, Chornyi Potik village – repair works were carried out in the Cultural Centre, which became a centre for leisure and creativity for residents.
• “Healthy Youth – the Key to a Healthy Nation”, Zarichchia village – a modern football field was equipped for youth.
• “Healthy Body – Healthy Spirit”, Deliatyn urban-type settlement – a modern sports ground was created, actively used by local residents and community guests.

The community actively cooperates with international partners.

As part of the “U-LEAD with Europe” Programme, the Administrative Services Centre was created and modernised.

Jointly with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the project “Energy Efficiency in Communities II” was implemented, aimed at increasing energy efficiency in communal infrastructure.

The community also participated in the “Integrated Spatial Planning” project (Canaction, GIZ, U-LEAD with Europe), which defined principles of balanced territorial development, optimal placement of objects, and preservation of natural resources.

Other important initiatives of the community invcude:

• “Preservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage through Reproduction of Deliatyn-Type Keptars and Vyshyvankas” – winner of the Carpathian Communities Support Programme of the “Euroregion Carpathians – Ukraine” Association.
• “Deliatynshchyna – the Eternal Gateway to the Carpathians” – winner of the 9th oblast local self-government competition of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Council.
• “Second Life for Secondary Raw Materials” – winner of the 10th oblast local self-government competition, promoting the development of a separate waste collection system and formation of environmental awareness.
• “Virtual Deliatynshchyna” – creation of 3D tours of historical and cultural locations in the community, allowing tourists to travel without leaving home.
• “Baronova Stezhka – Taxus baccata L.” – a tourist-ecological route dedicated to the community’s natural heritage, particularly rare European yews.

In 2018–2019, the community implemented infrastructure projects with state subvention support, improving roads, educational, and cultural institutions. Medical and educational institutions operate in the Deliatyn community, youth, sports, and social initiatives are actively supported, contributing to the development of an active and cohesive community.

Educational institutions in the community implement energy-saving technologies – replacement of windows, facade insulation, installation of solar panels.

As of 1.10.2025, over 300 entrepreneurs and companies operate in the community, particularly in woodworking, trade, transport, public catering, and agriculture. The share of provided services and internal tourism development grows every year.

The Community and the War

From the first days of the full-scale invasion, the community’s residents actively supported the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A humanitarian hub operated in Deliatyn, providing necessary assistance to the military and displaced persons. Local educational institutions organised charity fairs, fundraisers for military needs, and wove camouflage nets.

The community sheltered hundreds of internally displaced persons, providing them with housing, food, and support.

From the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Deliatyn Settlement Council allocates part of the local budget to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and targeted programmes have been developed and are in place to support active servicemen, families of fallen and missing Heroes. 

With funds from a one-day salary of budget sphere workers in the Deliatyn community, and with the help of benefactors, vehicles have been repeatedly purchased and handed over to fighters of territorial defence and other Armed Forces of Ukraine units.

Alleys of Heroes have been created in Deliatyn and Bili Oslavy village to honour the memory of fallen defenders from the community.

People of the Community

The head of the community is Bohdan Klymiuk. Thanks to his initiative, the Deliatyn community actively participates in national and international programmes, attracts investments, and develops educational, cultural, and environmental projects.

One of the promising directions actively developed by the community is education and social innovations. In 2025, the Deliatyn Settlement Council, together with partners, prepared and submitted to the UNDP competition the project “Children Create the Community,” which envisages the creation of a social school enterprise based on the Zarichchia Lyceum named after Volodymyr Yavorskyi.

The initiative’s goal is to teach students entrepreneurial thinking through practical activities – production of products on modern equipment (3D printer, thermal press, laser cutter, sewing machines) and implementation of their own social ideas. 

During the war, the community’s residents demonstrated true resilience and mutual support. From the first days of the full-scale invasion, a humanitarian hub was established in the community, organising the collection of aid for the military and internally displaced persons.

Volunteers, educators, students, entrepreneurs, and starostas of starosta districts actively joined charity events, fundraisers, making camouflage nets, preparing food, and delivering aid to the front line.

Cultural life in the community has not stopped – arts events, exhibitions, master classes, and holidays in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine take place in People’s Houses and libraries.

Educational institutions in the community implement elements of civic education, environmental upbringing, patriotic events, and volunteering.

Development Strategy

The Deliatyn Community is confidently developing, combining its natural, historical, and human resources with modern management approaches.

The community’s goal is to create a comfortable, safe, and ecologically balanced environment for residents’ lives, business development, education, culture, and tourism.

1. Infrastructure and Safety Development

One of the priorities is improving the condition of transport and engineering infrastructure, increasing residents’ safety levels. Also a priority is the restoration of local roads, development of the drainage system, improvement of street lighting, and territorial landscaping.

2. Environmental Safety and Sustainable Development

Special attention is paid to sustainable management of natural territories, cleaning river banks, implementing a separate waste collection system, and developing environmental education among children.

3. Tourism and Cultural Heritage

Deliatyn region great potential for tourism development. The community is developing the “Turystychnyi Deliatyn” brand, creating new tourist routes, including the educational “Baronova Stezhka,” which passes through arrays of European yews (Taxus baccata L.), listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Projects promoting cultural heritage are being implemented:

• “Virtual Deliatynshchyna” – creation of 3D tours of historical and cultural locations;
• “Deliatynshchyna – the Eternal Gateway to the Carpathians” – development of tourism and cultural identity;
• “Preservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage through Reproduction of Deliatyn-Type Keptars and Vyshyvankas” – winner of the “Euroregion Carpathians – Ukraine” Association programme;
• Restoration of salt mining traditions and popularisation of salt baths as a tourist-health highlight of the region.

4. Education, Youth, and Social Initiatives

Modernisation of educational institutions is being carried out, safe learning conditions are being created, energy-efficient equipment is being implemented.

5. Energy Efficiency and Spatial Planning

The community implements a number of programmes with GIZ and U-LEAD with Europe support:

• “Energy Efficiency in Communities II” project, aimed at reducing energy consumption in educational and cultural institutions;
• “Integrated Spatial Planning” project (Canaction, GIZ, U-LEAD), which defined principles of balanced territorial development, optimal object placement, and natural resource preservation;

• Modernisation of the Administrative Services Centre to improve the quality of administrative services.

6. Support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Veterans, and Honouring Memory

From the first days of the full-scale invasion, the community actively supports Ukrainian defenders. 

7. Local Self-Government and Partnerships

The Deliatyn community actively participates in attracting investments, including developing and submitting applications for implementing projects in regional, national, and international competitions, EU, UNDP, DOBRE, and “Euroregion Carpathians – Ukraine” grant programmes, which will contribute to sustainable development and improvement of the community’s infrastructure.

Today, special attention is focused on cross-border cooperation programmes; in particular, the Deliatyn community is seeking partners among communities in Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia for implementing joint environmental, cultural, and tourism projects.

Sources

• Official website of the Deliatyn Settlement Council — delyatynska-gromada.gov.ua
• Official community page on Facebook — facebook.com/delyatynskaotg
• Photos – archive of news from the Deliatyn Settlement Council, archive of news from the Department of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports of the Deliatyn Settlement Council, community initiatives, public internet resources.
• Photos by local activist Oleksii Bodnaruk (aerial photos).