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Kulykivka Territorial Community
Chernihiv
Population:
The Kulykivka Community is situated in Chernihiv Raion, Chernihiv Oblast.
Total area: 861.8 sq km.
Population: 14,116
Women: 7,492
Men: 6,624
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): 5,528
It consists of 23 settlements. The administrative centre of the community is located in the village of Kulykivka.
History
The Kulykivka Community is located in the central part of Chernihiv Oblast. The first settlements appeared here in the Neolithic period, in the VI-IV millennia BC. Intensive settlement began in the Bronze Age and early Iron Age. During this period, the territory of the current community became home to numerous tribes that developed agriculture, crafts, and trade.
In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the region was subjected to numerous raids by Crimean Tatars, forcing residents to leave their homes.
The situation changed after the region joined the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In the seventeenth century, the territory was actively developed, and new slobodas emerged, receiving tax benefits. These settlements are gradually appearing on Western European maps. In 1650, French military engineer Guillaume Levasseur de Beauplan marked on his maps the villages that are now part of the community.
After the liquidation of the regimental-hundred system at the end of the eighteenth century, the region was divided into counties and volosts, which existed until the beginning of the twentieth century. These changes have affected the development of the region’s economy and culture, contributing to its integration into the national system.
Today, Kulykivka region continues to develop, preserving its unique historical heritage. This is a land where the traditions of the past are harmoniously combined with modernity, making it attractive to both locals and European partners interested in cooperation.
The Kulykivka Community is located in a temperate climate and is characterized by high water availability, which creates significant natural resource potential and ample opportunities for active and recreational leisure. The main waterway of the region is the Desna River, which, with its numerous tributaries and lakes, stimulates the development of tourism and the opening of tourist facilities.
The Kulykivka Community is rich in historical and cultural monuments: 74 archaeological sites and 62 historical and cultural monuments. The preserved churches of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, including the Church of St. George the Victorious in Drozdivka, the Archangel Michael Church in Kulykivka, and others, are important historical sites.
Economy and Welfare
The economy and welfare of the Kulykivka Community are based on several key sectors, with the agricultural sector playing a leading role.
The fertile soils are conducive to agricultural production, especially grain, vegetable, and livestock production. Businesses such as Kolos, a family-owned farm with a large production facility and its own brand, Ratibor, which specializes in meat products, make a significant contribution to the local economy.
Kulykivske Moloko PrJSC, known for its dairy products. In total, the community has 27 agricultural formations and enterprises that provide jobs for hundreds of residents.
Small and medium-sized businesses also play an important role in the community’s economy. About 309 individual entrepreneurs are engaged in trade, services and manufacturing for the domestic market, which significantly supports economic activity.
The availability of transportation infrastructure, including the P-67 highway and the railroad, provides access to major markets, which is critical for the community’s economic development.
The Kulykivka Community also has the potential to develop tourism, especially ecotourism, thanks to its natural and historical resources. One of the community’s most popular tourist facilities is the Husky House in the village of Kladkivka. The complex is located next to the Desna River and has a unique design, where all the furniture is made of natural wood. There is a stable, a kennel for Siberian huskies and a large number of different animals.
Vohnyshche Tourist Club actively organizes cycling and hiking trips, kayaking, and excursions for children and youth.
However, the community is facing socio-economic challenges, including the impact of the war and the pandemic. New businesses appear thanks to the support of government programs and donor projects. Active migration stimulates community development, creating new opportunities and improving conditions for residents.
In the social sphere, the community makes significant efforts to improve the well-being of its residents. Thanks to cooperation with European partners, several projects have been implemented to modernize infrastructure and improve conditions in the education sector.
In particular, the Kulykivka Lyceum was thermally modernized with the support of the Japanese government, shelters in all educational institutions were renovated, a library coworking centre was created, and youth spaces were equipped.
The community actively participates in various government programs to raise funds for infrastructure projects. These include upgrading the municipal machinery fleet, improving the educational environment with energy-saving technologies, and building a new outpatient clinic.
Thanks to targeted efforts to attract foreign investment, introduce modern technologies in agriculture, and support small businesses, the Kulykivka Community has prospects for sustainable development and growth in the well-being of its residents.
The Community and the War
Active hostilities in the community lasted almost 40 days. Due to the fact that the community is located in the centre of Chernihiv Oblast and does not directly border the aggressor countries, it has not been subjected to occupation.
However, as a result of active hostilities, the surrounding villages suffered destruction. More than 20 buildings were destroyed, including a two-story apartment building, and hundreds of houses were heavily damaged.
The victims were sheltered by fellow villagers. We rallied together, helped with clothes, things, and food. Together, we went through difficult weeks and continue to help those who need support.
From the first days of the war, the patriots of Kulykivka region joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Male volunteers were mobilized into local self-defence units. The men patrolled the community around the clock to keep the situation under control. The heroes also joined the territorial defence units of Chernihiv, holding back the occupier’s offensive.
In March 2022, the Kulykivka Community was attacked by enemy artillery and aircraft. As a result of one of the air strikes, the livestock complex of Kolos Farm, Vimal Agro, and the cereal factory in Horbove suffered serious damage.
The most acute problem was the supply of bread, food, and medicine in the first weeks of the war. Because of the fighting, the community was cut off from the regional centre, from the capital. The situation was saved by local producers who milled flour for baking bread, operated a bakery around the clock, supplied the community’s shops with their meat products, and provided the population with free milk. Free memorial lunches were organized for the families of the fallen defenders, and owners of recreation centres hosted the displaced.
The teachers rallied together and turned the Kulykivka school into a sewing workshop. They sewed for the defenders and IDPs, wove camouflage nets. Educational institutions became humanitarian hubs, where employees fed refugees and soldiers around the clock, and accommodated those fleeing shelling and occupation.
Since the beginning of the war, the Center for Culture, Leisure and Creativity has been operating a humanitarian aid collection centre in Kulykivka. Here, they collected and distributed clothes, hygiene products, food, and medicines to IDPs and community members.
In addition, community volunteers, together with volunteers from other regions, were actively involved in the evacuation of refugees. The village council organized an evacuation centre where people signed up for evacuation, waited for departure, warmed themselves with hot tea and shared their tragedies. The guys worked seven days a week at the Desna crossing. In total, several thousand people were evacuated through the Kulykivka community during the period of active hostilities. The community has received more than 5,000 IDPs.
Community People
Modern Kulykivka region is a vivid example of how historical heritage can become the basis for sustainable community development. Today, the region is actively working to restore the economy, preserve cultural monuments, and improve the living conditions of its residents.
The head of the community is Yuliia Posternak. She is a bright leader, progressive and open to change. Her initiatives and determination helped the community during the active phase of hostilities in Chernihiv Oblast in February-March 2022. During this period, she quickly organized a team of specialists to ensure the community’s livelihood, created self-defence units, and facilitated the evacuation of residents of Chernihiv and the surrounding area.
After the de-occupation of the region, Yuliia Posternak actively cooperated with international donor organizations, attracting extra-budgetary funds for the restoration and development of the community.
In 2023, about UAH 30 million was raised through cooperation with 42 donor organizations. Project activities have become systematic, covering all industries.
The head of the community was able to organize support for the Armed Forces through volunteer events, the establishment of charitable organizations and the transformation of cultural and educational institutions into volunteer hubs, the preservation of cultural heritage through workshops and local history events, on-site household services for residents of the community’s villages, and the involvement of schoolchildren in writing and implementing grant projects. Yuliia Posternak also organizes regular meetings with students to discuss ideas for community development.
In addition, Kulykivka region is making significant strides in infrastructure development. Renovation of roads, construction of new social facilities, modernization of schools and hospitals – all this contributes to creating a comfortable environment for residents and attracts investors. Cooperation with European partners who support energy efficiency and environmental safety projects plays an important role in this regard.
Cultural and educational activities are an equally important component of modern community life. Kulykivka region is proud of its schools, where student government is actively developing, and where trainings and educational projects are being held. Students and teachers regularly participate in cultural and volunteer initiatives aimed at uniting the community and preserving national traditions.
Development Strategy
The Kulykivka Community Development Strategy was developed until 2027 and is aimed at achieving sustainable economic growth, improving the quality of life of residents and strengthening social cohesion.
Economic development is focused on supporting local businesses, creating new jobs, attracting investment and implementing innovative solutions.
Social support includes measures aimed at improving the living conditions of socially vulnerable categories of the population, access to quality services, in particular in the areas of healthcare and social protection. Another important aspect is the development of infrastructure that contributes to the comfortable life of residents.
Education and culture are key areas that ensure the development of the community’s human potential. The strategy envisages improving the quality of education, supporting cultural initiatives and preserving historical heritage, which will help strengthen national identity and cultural heritage.
Security and public participation are an integral part of the development strategy. The community strives to ensure the safety of its residents by developing security infrastructure, creating effective emergency response mechanisms, and encouraging citizens to actively participate in community life.
In addition, the Kulykivka Community has considerable experience of cooperation with international partners and investors, which allows it to attract additional resources for the implementation of strategic projects. This cooperation promotes the implementation of best practices and technologies necessary for sustainable community development.
Thanks to an integrated approach to development, the Kulykivka Community aims to create a harmonious and sustainable environment where every resident will have opportunities for self-realization and development.