Ivanivka Territorial Сommunity

History

The territory of modern Ivanivka Community lies on lands steeped in myths and legends dating back to ancient times. The peoples who lived here from 17,000 BC left numerous archaeological sites, including 46 burial mounds dating to the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. 

A significant part of the community’s territory lies within the unique geological formation known as the Ahaimany Pod, part of which has the status of a local nature reserve.

The community’s steppes were part of the great Chumak trade route to Crimea. The name of the pod probably comes from the old word “haimuvaty” (to slow down), as the “banks” of the pods had steep slopes, and heavy carts had to be braked.

The Ivanivka steppes were a kind of “corridor of peoples”. Its active development in the recent past began two centuries ago. Settlements such as Ivanivka and Ahaimany were established by migrants from the Dnipro region. The community actively built its future, overcoming challenges and obstacles. Its residents were unique builders of irrigation systems, searching for underground springs. History shaped the people of Ivanivka into farmers and water seekers.

Economy and Welfare

The community has road and railway links with both southern and northern regions of Ukraine. The international highway M-14 runs through the territory of the community. In addition, a road runs along the community leading to the Sea of Azov and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. All 28 localities of the community have stable economic ties with each other. 

Together they have formed a well-developed agricultural cluster specialising in grain cultivation, vegetable growing, and livestock farming, facilitated by the structure of the community’s land.

The total area of the community is 112,000 hectares, including 105,300 hectares of agricultural land, with 95,100 hectares of arable land.

There were 151 business entities operating in the community, including 127 farms. 

Among them are large enterprises specialising in crop production. A significant part of the land – 19,700 hectares – was irrigated.

The Kakhovka Main Irrigation Canal runs through the Ivanivka Community for 30 km, with a water surface width of 75 m and a depth of 6–6.5 m. This water was used by the Ivanivka Interdistrict Water Management Office for irrigation and household needs of the community’s residents. At present, the canal is almost no longer used for its intended purpose. 

In recent years, the community has actively developed the exploration and use of water resources for irrigation as an alternative to the Kakhovka irrigation system. This includes 37 artesian wells, which will ensure an optimal balance of resources for the agro-industrial complex.

Greening of localities and increasing the area of green plantings and shelterbelts were among the priority areas of work under climate change conditions. From 2015 to 2021, 3,000 rose seedlings, 2,000 seedlings of various flowers, 500 spruces, and 30,000 tree and shrub seedlings were planted in the community. Through the community’s efforts, it was turning into a beautiful oasis.

The internal road network between localities within the community exceeds 350 km. The community took care of developing road infrastructure by establishing an asphalt production plant.

Since the 2000s, craft production of confectionery, bakery, and sausage products has been actively developing. The community produces vegetable oil, honey, sausages and smoked meats, and dairy products. There are small processing enterprises, and some types of products are exported.

The community has unique craftsmen. In particular, Liubov Chkan – a craftswoman who creates unique art dolls with a distinctive design and character.

Every year, festivals and fairs were held in Ivanivka where producers showcased and sold their products.

Out of 10 general secondary education institutions that operated within the town council’s territory until 2022 and taught 1,233 students, the educational process for the children of the Ivanivka Community is now organized remotely only at one institution – Ivanivka Lyceum No. 1 of the Ivanivka Town Council, Kherson Oblast. In the 2024–2025 academic year, 544 students graduated from this school.

Sports and a healthy lifestyle played an important role in the community. Numerous sports clubs helped the community’s children acquire essential life skills.

 The community had clubs for wrestling, tourism, and football.

The community continues to care for its young citizens during the war. 

The All-Ukrainian military-patriotic youth game “Sokil” (“Dzhura”) embodies the centuries-old Cossack traditions passed down from generation to generation. 

Through competitions, children connected with the heroic heritage and recognized the importance of national identity. Sports in the community united different age groups – from children to veterans.

The Community and the War

The community’s territory was occupied by Russian forces in the first days of the full-scale invasion. From the start of the occupation, residents of the Ivanivka Community’s settlements showed unbreakable courage and resisted the Russian invaders by coming out with blue-and-yellow flags and ribbons to the central square of the town and organizing a peaceful gathering. 

Thus, in late February 2022, while endless columns of enemy military vehicles moved through the streets, residents held a rally dedicated to the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, demonstrating their loyalty to the country.

Most educators, healthcare workers, civil servants, and families with children evacuated. Nevertheless, the community provides basic services remotely. The occupiers looted almost all educational institutions, and illegal housing seizures continue. The community leadership has remained loyal to Ukraine, working in government-controlled territory and assisting the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Currently, the key tasks of the community leadership are rehabilitation, social protection, and providing administrative services to Ivanivka residents, including war veterans and their families.

Since 2022, 230 residents of the Ivanivka community have been defending Ukraine in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, serving in the National Police, and the State Emergency Service.

Seventeen residents of Ivanivka have died at the front, and many have been wounded. 

In 2023, Russian occupiers blew up the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, causing the Kakhovka Main Canal to stop functioning. Residents of the entire left bank of Kherson region lost access to quality drinking water, and agricultural lands lost irrigation.

The Ivanivka Town Community became one of the co-founders of the Kherson Oblast Humanitarian Office (HUB) in Kryvyi Rih to support internally displaced persons (IDPs).

In addition to providing humanitarian aid, the HUB plays an important social role, facilitating the adaptation and integration of IDPs into a new environment and ensuring they receive necessary services and support.

An Administrative Services Center operates there, helping people process documents for participation in community support and military programs, and providing employment counseling from the Kherson Employment Center.

Humanitarian aid is delivered to people with limited mobility. The HUB also hosts various events for children.

The community is developing partnerships for future reconstruction. Memorandums of cooperation have been signed with numerous foundations and NGOs to implement community cohesion projects.

People of the Community

Viktor Debelyi has headed the Ivanivka community since 2017. In a short time, he created an energetic and professional management team and, together with them, implemented many projects aimed at community development

From the first days of the war until now, the community under Viktor Debelyi’s leadership has actively supported the Armed Forces of Ukraine in bringing Victory closer.

In 2023, he was awarded the honorary badge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine “For Assistance to the Army” for his contribution to liberating the right bank of Kherson Oblast.

The community has much to be proud of: Karate coaches have trained dozens of national and international prize-winners, including masters of sports. Tourism and local history clubs develop children’s endurance, love for their homeland, and leadership skills. The first girls’ football team in the district was created here, repeatedly winning at the regional level.

Community specialists conduct adaptive karate classes for young people with mental disabilities. Entrepreneurs forced to leave have relocated their businesses and continue their work in new conditions.

Community defenders participate in key battles, have received military awards, and, despite injuries, continue serving. Veterans, after rehabilitation, represent Ukraine at international competitions.

Unity, cooperation, mutual support, and loyalty to their country are the traits that unite community residents even in the most challenging times.

Development Strategy

The community is actively preparing to implement its de-occupation plan, which includes:

• Demining of territories;
  
• Development of public-private partnerships;
  
• Restoration of the agro-industrial complex;
  
• Improvement of the investment climate and international cooperation;
  
• Development of tourism;
  
• Renewal of human capital;
  
• Accessible administrative and social services;
  
• Restoration of engineering infrastructure.

Strategic goals:

1. Social services meet the needs of the community and principles of good governance.
   
2. Equal conditions and access to resources for businesses.
   
3. A safe, inclusive environment with efficient infrastructure.

The community works toward energy and water autonomy, develops alternative energy, and creates conditions for attracting investments.

Sources

1. Official website of the Ivanivka Town Council ivanivka-gromada.gov.ua
2. Facebook page of the Ivanivka Town Military Administration facebook.com
3. Facebook group of the Ivanivka Town Military Administration facebook.com
4. Official website of the Administrative Services Center of the Town Council cnap.ivanivka-gromada.gov.ua
5. Ivanivka Town Council Group (until 2022) on Facebook: “We are different, but we are together!” facebook.com

The photos used in the presentation belong to residents of the Ivanivka Town Community, who have given their permission for their publication.