Sucheveny Territorial Community

History

The first written mentions of the village of Sucheveny date back to 1431, during the reign of Moldavian ruler Alexander the Good. In ancient documents, the village is mentioned as Tomintsi (Tominci) and was part of the estate complex of the courtier Ivan Kupchych, whose residence was located in the neighbouring village of Kupka. According to a charter from 1490, the settlement was situated on the banks of Syretsel – the Small Siret, which determined its further development.

After the annexation of Bukovyna by the Habsburg Empire in 1775, the village became part of the Storozhynets District of the Duchy of Bukovyna. At the beginning of the 19th century, there were about 70-80 houses here, and by 1840, the number had grown to over a hundred. During the Austrian period, the village had several official names – Ukrainian Suchavany, Romanian Suceavenii, and German Suczaweny. According to local lore, the name derives from the surname of the landowner Suchevan, who arrived here from the town of Suceava.

After 1918, when Bukovyna was annexed to the Kingdom of Romania, Sucheveny became part of the Romanian state. On 28 June 1940, Soviet troops occupied the territory of Northern Bukovyna, and in 1946, the village’s name was changed to Shyroka Poliana.

With the restoration of Ukraine’s independence in 1991, the village became part of the modern Ukrainian state. In March 1995, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine returned the historical name – Sucheveny – to the settlement, symbolically restoring the community’s connection to its deep past.

Economy and Welfare

The Sucheveny community stands out for its active development of small business, industry, and services. One of the leading sectors is the restaurant business – six restaurants operate in the community. This fosters related entrepreneurial sectors: demand grows for local food products, items with Bukovynian flair, textiles, animation services, and event organisation, stimulating employment and the development of creative professions.

A powerful component of the community’s economy is the production of building materials. In 2022, a brick factory in the village of Sucheveny resumed operations, with a capacity of about 10 million conventional bricks per year. The enterprise operates around the clock, employing over 40 community residents. Another brick factory in the village of Kupka is currently under reconstruction, and upon completion, it is planned to create over 110 jobs, significantly enhancing the community’s industrial potential.

The community devotes significant attention to the educational sector. Schools and kindergartens operate on its territory, providing quality basic education and harmonious child development. At educational institutions, artistic, sports, and technical clubs operate, allowing youth to develop talents and acquire useful skills.

Medical care for residents is provided by general practice family medicine outpatient clinics and paramedic-midwifery posts operating in every settlement. Here, preventive examinations, vaccinations, family doctor consultations, and basic emergency care are conducted. The community actively cares for the health of its residents and works to improve medical service conditions.

The Community and the War

The Sucheveny Territorial Community is located far from the zone of active combat operations and has not experienced direct enemy attacks or destruction. However, the war has affected every family, and the community has actively joined the common cause of defending Ukraine.

Forty-eight brave residents of the community have joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, honourably defending our state on the front lines. In the rear, the community is also not standing aside: through the joint efforts of village council employees, local entrepreneurs, and caring citizens, 7 off-road vehicles were purchased, equipped, and handed over to the military, along with over 40 tonnes of food, warm clothing, and medicines.

Residents constantly respond to the urgent needs of the defenders, including participating in fundraisers for drones, thermal imagers, night vision devices, and other essential equipment.

The Sucheveny community proves that even far from the front, one can be a support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, maintaining unity, humanity, and faith in Victory.

People of the Community

Since 2020, the Sucheveny Territorial Community has been led by Yulian Mikhailovych, a young and determined leader who, at 35 years old, has managed to rally a team of like-minded individuals and build an effective management system.

He not only coordinates the work of local self-government bodies but also daily demonstrates openness to people, initiative, and belief in the community’s development. Yulian Mikhailovych knows how to inspire by example, creating an atmosphere of trust and support, which is especially important in difficult wartime conditions.

Development Strategy

The Sucheveny Territorial Community has a clear vision of its future and defined strategic development priorities. The community’s strategy is aimed at creating comfortable living conditions, economic development, infrastructure improvement, and preservation of the natural environment.

The main areas of development are:

• Support for local entrepreneurship and attracting investments in production and agricultural sectors;
  
• Development of social infrastructure – schools, kindergartens, medical facilities, and cultural institutions;
  
• Improving the quality of life of the population through the improvement of settlements, development of transport links, and communal services;
  
• Energy efficiency and environmental safety, preservation of the community’s natural resources;
  
• Support for youth and community initiatives, promotion of volunteering and cultural projects.

All decisions are made taking into account residents’ opinions, and the community’s main goal is to build a stable, self-sufficient, and modern territory where every resident feels protected and needed.

Sources

• Official community website and social media.