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Potiivka Territorial Community
Zhytomyr
Population:
The Potiivka Community is situated in Zhytomyr Raion, Zhytomyr Oblast.
Total area: 258.49 sq km.
Population: 3,357
Women: 1,842
Men: 1,515
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): 587
It consists of 24 settlements. The administrative centre of the community is located in the village of Potiivka.
History
The Potiivka Community, located in a picturesque part of Zhytomyr region, preserves a rich historical heritage dating back to the early seventeenth century.
The centre of the community, the village of Potiivka, located on the Osichka river, later Shliamarka, was founded in the middle of the 16th century. The village was originally called Lozhnytsi, but in the XVII century it received two new names – Veremiivka and Potiivka.
Since the nineteenth century, the last of them has been established, probably in honour of the Greek Catholic Metropolitan Hypatius Potius. The village became a metropolitan estate, and in the XVIII century it was part of the Radomyshl Key.
The first written mention of Potiivka dates back to 1614. Since then, Potiivka has developed as an important religious and cultural centre. The village had a Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was built in the seventeenth century and existed until the beginning of the twentieth century.
The main activity of the inhabitants was farming, but also the production of wheels and the operation of several infrastructure facilities, such as a school, a church, and a windmill.
Potiivka actively responded to important political events, including the February Revolution of 1917.
In the 1920s, the village saw the creation of communes and collective farms and the development of local infrastructure. Potiivka was a district centre until 1959 and had a machine and tractor station, a brick factory, a hospital, and a school. Over time, the village became an important economic and cultural centre of the region.
The Potiivka Community preserves the atmosphere of traditional Ukrainian countryside while adapting to modern challenges. The openness of local residents, their desire for development and support for local initiatives make this community an example of effective interaction between history and modernity, which attracts the attention of both national and international partners.
Economy and Welfare
The Potiivka Community has developed agricultural, industrial and commercial activities. Agriculture plays an important role in the community’s economy, including the cultivation of cereals, legumes and oilseeds, as well as the development of livestock.
The priority is not only the production of agricultural products, but also their processing. One of the most striking examples is Dobrynia, which specializes in the production of oil, flour, sugar and other products of its own production, popular not only in the region but also abroad.
The presence of several forestry enterprises and large areas of forest plantations allows communities to actively develop the forestry and woodworking industries, as well as ecotourism.
In June 2022, a bakery was opened in the village of Potiivka to provide fresh baked goods to the population and support the military by sending products to the front. This emphasizes the social responsibility of the community and its active participation in supporting the army.
Innovations are also not far behind in the Potiivka Community: the Sanvin 22 enterprise produces solar energy, making the community part of the modern energy landscape of Ukraine.
Potiivka has significant potential for further development of horticulture, construction of gas stations and other infrastructure facilities, making the community attractive for investment. Free land plots and available natural resources allow us to implement new business initiatives and continue to develop the region.
The Community and the War
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Potiivka Community, like many other Ukrainian communities, has witnessed enormous challenges and changes.
The war brought not only destruction, but also strengthened the spirit of unity among the locals. The community, despite all the difficulties, actively joined in organizing the defence of its territory and supporting the country in its struggle for freedom.
The community residents did not stand aside, creating volunteer initiatives to help the army and civilians, providing shelter to those who were forced to leave their homes due to the hostilities.
Since the first days of the war, local residents have organized self-defence groups that have been on duty at checkpoints, ensuring the safety of the community. A large number of people liable for military service defended our country at the front. The local authorities and the population set up humanitarian hub to bring food, clothing, bedding and other essentials to the internally displaced persons, who numbered more than 1,500 in the community. Those in need of housing received free temporary accommodation and support in the form of everything they needed for a comfortable life.
The struggle continues and the community does not stop its contribution in this difficult time. Assistance, volunteer initiatives and support for the military continue unabated. The Potiivka Community, along with all Ukrainians, is standing guard and doing everything possible to bring our common victory closer.
The war, which has brought a lot of pain and loss, leaves a deep mark on people’s hearts, but it also becomes a powerful stimulus for unity and patriotism. We believe that with each new step we are getting closer to the moment when peace and recovery will return to every corner of Ukraine.
Community People
Maryna Plechko, Head of the Potiivka Community, is an active and determined leader who has been implementing important changes aimed at community development since her first days in office.
Her commitment to improving the lives of local residents is expressed not only in the implementation of infrastructure projects, but also in creating conditions for the development of entrepreneurship, agriculture, and social initiatives. Her efforts helped attract investment in the agricultural sector and improve conditions for small businesses.
Before the war began, Maryna Plechko and her professional team actively supported the cultural life of the community by organizing annual festivals and other events that became an integral part of Potiivka’s life.
Among these events was the Potiivski Zustrichi festival, which brought together local residents and visitors and was an important platform for creativity, exhibitions and fairs that helped develop local businesses and strengthen community ties.
When the full-scale war began, Maryna Plechko organized the establishment of aid collection points for internally displaced persons and the military. Under her leadership, the community mobilized resources to provide food aid, organize hot meals for the military, and create the necessary conditions for temporary shelter for people who lost their homes. Maryna Plechko also keeps in touch with volunteers, whose coordination made it possible to provide prompt assistance at all stages.
Thanks to her leadership, the Potiivka Community has become an example of unity, support and determination in the most difficult times. Thanks to her efforts, the community not only survives, but continues to develop, supporting each other.
Development Strategy
Prior to the outbreak of the full-scale war, the Potiivka Community had a strategic development plan, with the main areas of focus being support for the agricultural sector, infrastructure development, job creation, and support for local businesses. The priority sectors for development were agriculture, farming, tourism, and small business. One important project was the modernization of local infrastructure, including roads and utilities. The focus was also on improving social services and cultural development.
Now the community has redirected its efforts to support internally displaced persons, as well as to meet the needs of the military and local residents.
However, even in these difficult times, the community continues to work on implementing projects, particularly in the field of agricultural production and the restoration of local businesses. One of the most promising areas is the development of eco-tourism, given the natural resources and potential for creating eco-routes
The community is actively working to attract investment to implement these initiatives, including the development of rural tourism and the modernization of energy infrastructure, including solar energy. There are also plans to develop partnerships with other communities in Ukraine and abroad after the war is over.