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Stepanivka Territorial Community
Sumy
Population:
The Stepanivka settlement territorial community is located on the territory of the Sumy district, Sumy region.
The total area of the territory is 190.024 km2.
The population of the community is 10,385 people.
Women: 5,491.
Men: 4,894.
IDPs: 546.
The community includes 18 population centers and has its administrative center in the settlement of Stepanivka.
Coordinates on the map – 50.93996881797903, 34.63359256190269
History
Each of the villages of the community has its own unique path, but together they create a bright image of the Ukrainian community with a rich historical past and bold prospects for the future. These villages are not only witnesses to important historical events, but also an example of coherence and gradual development, which reflects the general trends of the entire country.
Stepanivka is the center of the territorial community of the same name, located 17.5 km from the city of Sumy. The history of the settlement dates back to 1670.
According to data from 1864, the village had a fairly developed infrastructure: an Orthodox church, a distillery and a saltpeter factory.
In 1958, several settlements and hamlets were united into a single settlement of Stepanivka. In 1968, the village received the status of an urban-type settlement, which was an important step in its development. As for education, it began to develop since the end of the 19th century, and today a modern lyceum functions here, continuing the traditions of educational institutions founded more than 100 years ago.
Pidlisnivka was founded in 1696 by people from Right Bank Ukraine. Surrounded by forests, it had favorable natural conditions for agriculture and cattle breeding. The inhabitants were engaged in the cultivation of grain crops, flax and hemp, and also actively developed handicrafts. The owners of farms were also well-known craftsmen in the production of carts, furniture, and other wooden products.
The village of Kosivshchyna is located on the right bank of the Sumka River, 3 km from Sumy. Archaeological findings indicate that there were settlements on the territory of the village as early as the 4th century AD.
Kosivshchyna was founded in the middle of the 18th century by Roman Kosovtsov , who bought land here and created a hamlet.
After the Second World War, active construction and development of the village began. In 1966, a new school, nursery, and club were built, which became the basis for the modern infrastructure of the village.
Stepanivka, Pidlisnivka, and Kosivshchyna are examples of Ukrainian villages with a rich history, heroic traditions, and developed communities that confidently look to the future.
Economy and Welfare
The Stepanivka community is actively developing as a center of agricultural activity, having 360 registered business entities on its territory.
An elevator of Agroterminal Construction LLC (a Stepanivka-based branch Rise), is one of the largest and most successful enterprises in the community. It is part of the UkrLandFarming Company, one of Ukraine’s largest agricultural holdings which topped the rating of the largest linear elevators in the country in 2017.
Thanks to the installed modern equipment, including a production laboratory and cleaning and drying complexes with a capacity of 800 tons per hour, the Stepanivka elevator is a model of a high-tech and profitable enterprise not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe.
Another community powerful enterprise is HANZE AGRI UKRAINE LLC. The elevator of this company, located in Stepanivka, offers a full range of grain processing and storage services. It has equipment from the world’s leading manufacturers, and the volume of simultaneous grain storage here is 100 thousand tons in Simeza (Petkus) metal silos. The main activity of this enterprise is the wholesale trade in grain, fertilizers and agrochemical products.
Avis-Ukraine LLC is one of the leading enterprises in the village of Kosivshchyna – a modern poultry complex that is the leader in the production of chicken eggs in Ukraine. Annually, the enterprise produces up to 200 million eggs, having its own compound feed plant and a laboratory for product quality control. Avis-Ukraine LLC is also engaged in the cultivation of grain and leguminous crops, which allows the enterprise to provide its own feed.
These enterprises are the basis of the economic development of the Stepanivka community, demonstrating its potential as a regional agricultural and industrial center.
Community and War
In the conditions of the full-scale armed aggression, the Stepanivka community showed strength, organization and determination in protecting its residents. On April 2, 2022, the Voluntary Formation of the Stepanivka Territorial Community No. 1 was created, which became one of the key steps in ensuring the defense of the territory and protecting residents from military threats.
In order to support the population in this difficult time, the Humanitarian Headquarters was created. Here they provide assistance to residents who find themselves in difficult circumstances. The headquarters coordinates the collection and distribution of humanitarian aid, involving state and international organizations, in particular the UN, the World Central Kitchen, the Red Cross of Ukraine, the public organization “Dobro”, as well as private entrepreneurs.
During 2022, the community received help in the form of food kits, baby food, hygiene products, medicines, clothes and rehabilitation products. A significant part of these resources was transferred to health care institutions and voluntary formation for further support of the population and ensuring that defense needs are met. On November 24, 2022, Points of Invincibility were opened on the territory of the community to support residents in emergency situations.
Local educational institutions and volunteers play an important role in supporting defense and charitable activities. As part of a volunteer initiative, they make camouflage nets for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In addition, the community organized the preparation of food for the soldiers and its delivery directly to the front. Thanks to the proactive attitude of the community, this volunteer activity is an important contribution to the support of Ukrainian defenders and a testament to the indomitable spirit of the community.
In April 2022, the football team “Kolos” from the village of Pidlisnivka took part in a charity street football tournament, collecting funds to support the defenders of Sumy Region.
And in May 2022, at the “Avangard” stadium in Sumy, the team took part in the “League of Peace” tournament, which aimed to support the Ukrainian army through a charitable sports and health event under the slogan “Together towards Victory”.
In 2023, the arrangement of shelters in general secondary education institutions of the community was financed at the expense of the local budget, which significantly increased the level of safety for children and teachers during air raids. This testifies to the responsible attitude of the community to the protection of its residents in any conditions.
The Stepanivka community continues to actively work to strengthen defense capabilities and ensure the well-being of its residents, despite the difficulties of wartime.
People of the Community
Since 2020, the Stepanivka settlement territorial community has been headed by Volodymyr Lukash, who is noted for reliable and efficient management. Under his leadership, the community has significantly improved infrastructure and services for residents.
The Administrative Services Center was opened, a modern dispensary for general practice of family medicine was built, and the project for the construction of the preschool education institution “Orliatko” was implemented.
In addition, more than 10 children’s playgrounds were installed, street lighting was arranged in remote population centers, and large-scale landscaping of the territory was carried out.
In 2019, the Administrative Services Center started its operations in the community to become the first Administrative Services Center in the Sumy District. Thanks to cooperation with the Nyzhnia Syrovatka settlement council, more than 85,000 administrative services were provided, more than 8,000 passport documents were issued, and more than 12,000 registration actions were carried out from 2020 to 2023. The Center also has a consultation point providing free legal assistance.
In 2021, the Communal Institution “Social Services Center” was established, which provides assistance to vulnerable categories of the population. This Center actively cooperates with public organizations, thanks to which social workers received new bicycles to perform their duties.
An important step in the field of medicine was the opening of a new premises of the general practice of family medicine outpatient clinic, which provides high-quality medical care. The point of permanent basing of emergency medical assistance, which works around the clock, provides assistance not only to the residents of the community, but also to the neighboring territories.
In 2019, the implementation of the project “New construction of the preschool education institution “Orliatko” began. The project involves the creation of a modern preschool, as well as the equipment of a music and sports hall and a kitchen. The construction was implemented within the framework of the state program “Major Construction”.
As of today, the institution needs additional equipment, in particular furniture and technological equipment, as well as the completion of landscaping. Completion of construction will provide proper conditions for the operation of the institution, create a safe and comfortable environment for children, and also improve the availability of preschool education for all residents of the village.
The youth of the community also actively realizes their creative abilities, taking part in numerous art competitions and festivals. In 2023, amateurs of the community scene took part in 43 competitions and won 93 awards, including 11 Grand Prix, in such events as the “Krasne Pole” Rifle Song Festival-Competition and the “GRAND PRIX” International Festival & Competition.
Development Strategy
The Stepanivka settlement territorial community implements the Development Strategy for 2018-2025, which is focused on key priorities: stimulating economic development and public activity, creating a safe economic environment, ensuring an effective system of education and youth development. Thanks to these measures, the community took a worthy place on the economic, educational, cultural, sports and tourist map of the country. The strategy was developed with the participation of representatives of government, business and the public environment, in accordance with the methodology of the “U-LEAD with Europe” Program and with the support of experts of the “Center for the Development of Local Self-Government”.
In the first half of 2024, the updating of the Development Strategy until 2027 began as part of the grant competition project “Strengthening public participation in early recovery processes in the liberated territories”, which is administered by ISAR Ednannia with the support of the “Partnership for a Strong Ukraine” Fund, financed by international partners. The project is implemented by the public organization “Center of Public Initiatives “Intellect of Sumy Region””.
Thanks to the coordinated work of the executive bodies of the Stepanivka settlement council with the International Solidarity Fund (Republic of Poland), the community received humanitarian aid in the form of a school bus for the safe transportation of students and evacuation of the population. Cooperation with Phoenix Charitable Fund of Ukraine made it possible to obtain ballistic plates for the Voluntary Formation and generators to ensure the smooth operation of social institutions.
As part of the cooperation with the NGO “Podillia Regional Development Agency”, a generator and a charging station were received for prompt response to power outage situations. At the same time, experts of the settlement council are actively looking for potential investors for the development of the community, but the fact that the community budget has not been approved by the deputies’ corps makes it difficult to attract investments.
List of Sources
- Website of the Stepanivka Settlement Territorial Community
- Agroterminal Construction (Stepanivka-based branch Rise) | Map of electric generators in the Information and analytical system “Agrarii Razom” (agrarii-razom.com.ua)