Rava-Ruska Territorial Community

History

The administrative centre of the community is the town of Rava-Ruska, founded in 1455 by Prince Władysław. He named the settlement after Rawa Mazowiecka, adding “Ruska” to distinguish it. In 1622, Rava-Ruska was granted Magdeburg rights, which stimulated trade and crafts. During the 17th–18th centuries, the town became a venue for international negotiations, hosting meetings between King Augustus II, Peter I, and Charles XII.

Under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Rava-Ruska grew into an important railway hub. The town endured the devastation of two world wars and tragically lost much of its population, including its Jewish community.

Today, Rava-Ruska stands as a border town, the first Ukrainian settlement one encounters when crossing from Poland.

The community is also rich in natural landmarks, especially the Roztochchia Landscape Park

Architecturally, the area is dominated by baroque and neoclassical styles, seen in sacred buildings. Monastic complexes are typically U-shaped, enclosing inner courtyards. Brick-built churches and cathedrals are decorated with pilasters, frontons, and sculptural niches.

Economy and Welfare

Over 1,000 enterprises and self-employed entrepreneurs operate within the community.  Most enterprises are engaged in food industry, transportation and logistics,
agriculture, woodworking industry, wholesale trade, hospitality and catering.

The location at the intersection of Roztochchia and Little Polissia makes the area attractive for tourism, with its picturesque landscapes. 

Key transport connections include international and national highways. European-gauge railway Lviv – Rava-Ruska – Warsaw and railway line Przemyśl – Hurko – Medyka – Mostyska-2.

An important element of the local economy is the international road border crossing point “Rava-Ruska – Hrebenne,” which operates 24/7 and handles passenger and freight traffic between Ukraine and Poland. It lies on the M-09 international highway (Lviv – Rava-Ruska), which is part of the European route E372, linking Lviv with Lublin.

The community also has land plots that are potentially attractive for investment. This is particularly relevant given the expectations in the short and medium term, given the good transport accessibility.                

The Rava-Ruska Hospital operates in the community. It is a multidisciplinary medical facility that provides primary and specialized medical care. The facility actively implements modern approaches to treatment, prevention, and diagnosis, providing high-quality services to community residents.

The educational network of the Rava-Ruska community covers all levels of education, from preschool to extracurricular education. There are 13 general secondary education institutions, 11 preschool education institutions, and the Rava-Ruska Professional Lyceum with Level II accreditation.

Educational institutions in the community actively implement innovative methods, participate in nationwide projects, and support patriotic education and volunteer initiatives.

The Community and the War

The Rava-Ruska community responded to Russia’s full-scale invasion with determination and unity. Thanks to its border location, the community was one of the first to accept a wave of internally displaced persons, organize humanitarian aid, and become a reliable rear base for supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Fortunately, the community’s territory did not suffer direct combat operations or large-scale destruction. However, the war affected every family — through loss, conscription, evacuation, anxiety, and constant tension. The city repeatedly bids farewell to fallen heroes.

In the early days of the war, a humanitarian headquarters was established in the community to coordinate the collection and distribution of aid to IDPs, military personnel, and affected regions. During the most difficult moments of the war, employees of the Rava-Ruska City Council became not only administrators, but also volunteers, coordinators, and psychologists.

Many preschool institutions organized kitchen shifts during which female employees baked pies, cooked borscht, and prepared homemade meals for Ukrainian defenders.

These treats were sent to the front along with children’s drawings, letters, and talismans — as a symbol of care, gratitude, and support. The parents of the pupils often helped with the cooking.

Many educational institutions set up reception centres for displaced persons, and school cafeterias prepared hot meals for displaced persons, military personnel, and volunteers.

From the very first days of the full-scale war, the volunteer movement in the Rava-Ruska community became a powerful force of support. People of all ages, professions, and views have come together for a common goal – to help those in need.

Community organizations play a key role in supporting the community. The NGO “Community in Action” coordinates humanitarian aid, supports displaced persons and military personnel, organizes blood donation campaigns, and partners with international projects. The Special Purpose Volunteers of Rava-Ruska Charitable Organization, established in 2024, provides targeted assistance to the military, supplying them with ammunition, medical supplies, and equipment. The Humanitarian Front NGO has become an important centre for volunteering, logistics and support in the community.

Volunteers and community members also initiated and organised the production of dry soup kits for soldiers on the front lines. This initiative arose in response to the need for quick, nutritious and convenient food for soldiers in the field.

People of the Community

Ivan Ivanusa – Mayor of the Rava-Ruska community since 2020.

In 2022, a memorandum was signed on the restoration of the European gauge railway line on the section between Hrebenne (PL) and Rava-Ruska, which is part of the future Warsaw–Lviv–Kyiv route.  This opens up new opportunities for passenger transport, tourism, logistics and cross-border cooperation.

On 10 March 2023, with the support of a local businessman and community budget funds, a local fire brigade was opened in the village of Hiiche, which became part of the Zhovkivshchyna detachment. This is the first such unit in the community, created to respond quickly to emergencies, protect the lives and property of residents of our and neighbouring communities, conduct training in schools, and organise Civil Defence Days.

The unit received equipment from the USAID HOVERLA project, as well as assistance from firefighters in Germany and Poland. 

In September 2023, on City Day, the community celebrated the opening of the Rava-Ruska Children’s and Youth School, which opened new horizons for the sporting development of children and young people. 

In January 2024, the Rava-Ruska Youth Centre, a municipal institution providing a space for creativity, learning and self-fulfilment for young people, was officially opened in the town of Rava-Ruska.

Development Strategy

Development strategy of the Rava-Ruska Community for 2022-2027.

The strategy aims to ensure sustainable community development, improve residents’ quality of life, strengthen the economy and unlock cross-border potential.

 Strategic objectives:

1. Competitive economy
   • Support for small and medium-sized businesses;
   • Development of logistics, woodworking, food industry;
   • Creation of an industrial park;
   • Attracting investments, developing an investment passport;
   • Development of border services and tourism.
2. Comfortable environment
   • Modernisation of housing and communal services;
   • Road repairs, development of transport infrastructure;
   • Reconstruction of treatment facilities, installation of a waste sorting line;
   • Development of energy-efficient solutions and environmental initiatives.
3. Quality of life

• Improving access to medical services;

• Creating an optimal education network;
• Modernisation of cultural institutions;
• Development of youth policy (creation of a youth centre, youth sports school implemented);
• Digitisation of administrative services.

 Priority projects (2023–2025):

• Creation of an industrial park on the territory of the community;
• Launch of a youth centre in Rava-Ruska (completed);
• Reconstruction of sewage treatment facilities;
• Setting up youth spaces in the starosta’s districts;
• Implementation of energy efficiency projects in schools and kindergartens;
• Development of tourism infrastructure based on the natural potential of Roztochchia and Little Polissia;
• Introduction of electronic services for residents.

 Partnership and support

The strategy was developed with the participation of the community, businesses, MPs, experts and with the support of:

• USAID HOVERLA project
• Lviv Oblast Military Administration
• M.I. Dolishnii Institute of Regional Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

Sources

•  Official website of the Rava-Ruska City Council: rava-mr.gov.ua
• Facebook pages
• Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine lv.dsns.gov.ua