Velykyi Kuchuriv Territorial Community

History

The Velykyi Kuchuriv Community has deep historical roots and a rich cultural heritage. The first written references to the villages that form part of the community date back to the 14th century, although archaeological findings testify to much earlier settlement of this territory.

On the left bank of the Derelui River in the village of Velykyi Kuchuriv, remains of settlements of the Trypillia culture (3rd millennium BC) have been discovered. In the areas known as Stinka and Selyshche, materials from the era of the Carpathian burial mounds (3rd–6th centuries AD) were found. These monuments clearly show that the territory of the community was an active centre of life thousands of years ago.

In the 20th century, the community became an important centre of agricultural science: in 1965, the Dniester Horticultural Research Station was established here. Over more than half a century, scientists have studied over one thousand varieties of fruit crops, of which more than sixty have been recommended for production in Ukraine. This direction continues to play an important role in the local economy today.

A true natural gem of the community is the national botanical monument of nature Tysovyi Yar — a ten-hectare area of beech forest with unique specimens of yew trees that are over 500 years old. In spring, the forest is covered with rare primroses listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. Tysovyi Yar forms part of the Chernivtsi Regional Park.

The community also preserves and promotes its cultural heritage.
Among its unique sites are:

the Museum of History of the Village of Velykyi Kuchuriv Berehynia, which preserves the memory of the past and traditions;

the men’s monastery Skete of the Praise of the Holy Virgin, a spiritual shrine of the area;

the Memorial Estate Museum of Anna Dushchak, honouring the memory of the famous Bukovynian poetess;

The Ethnographic Museum Babusyna Svitlytsia, which has been operating since 1999 and is not merely a collection of exhibits but also a creative workshop for children, a centre for preserving traditions and a spiritual treasure of the community.

Economy and Welfare

Due to its proximity to the regional centre Chernivtsi, the Velykyi Kuchuriv Community has favourable conditions for the development of small and medium-sized businesses. A significant part of the residents work in Chernivtsi, but enterprises are also actively operating within the community itself in the fields of trade, services, construction, woodworking, metalworking, production of window and door structures, food industry and energy.

Main areas of local business include:

• production of window and door structures (Euro Windows, INNOVATION WINDOORS, Vikna Styl Trading);
• construction and production of building materials (bricks, paving stones);
• energy (ChOEK – production of solar energy);
• wedding industry (production of wedding dresses and related garments);
• food industry;
• forestry and horticulture (three state-owned forestry enterprises, Dniester Horticultural Research Station).

The Velykyi Kuchuriv Community is actively implementing socially important projects with the support of international programmes, including:

• a centre for the development of social and youth entrepreneurship;
• a sewing workshop;
• Y-media media centre (professional photo and video equipment);
• woodworking and metalworking workshops.

As part of the GIZ project “Administrative Reform in Eastern Ukraine”, the Velykyi Kuchuriv Community carried out comprehensive reconstruction of the administrative building of the village council. Energy-efficient windows and doors were installed, heating and water supply systems were equipped, new furniture and equipment were purchased and an Administrative Services Centre (ASC) was opened.

• The ASC provides more than 15,000 services annually, ensuring access to high-quality administrative services for residents of the community.

Projects implemented with the support of USAID DOBRE:

• excursion route “Through the Velykyi Kuchuriv Community”;
• pedestrian and cycling route “Tur Mistechko”;
• creation of the community brand;
• youth space “Tvii Bezmezhnyi Prostir”;
• modernisation of street lighting;
• improvement of the solid waste management system (purchase of containers);
• women’s leadership space “USPIKH”;
• digital cartographic materials for the villages of the community.

The community joined the initiative “Connecting Communities – for Sustainable Economic Growth (ConCom4EG)”. With the support of the EU and its own co-financing, it created a GIS system of urban planning cadastre, land cadastre, address register and investment proposals.

A Children’s and Youth Sports School is functioning in the community, where eight coaches and a director are working. Football, basketball and volleyball sections operate on the basis of the school.

About 500 children are engaged in sports sections.

Educational services in the Velykyi Kuchuriv Community are provided by preschool and general secondary education institutions. In total, seven educational institutions are functioning.

As of 1 September 2024, 1,566 pupils were studying in these institutions.

The cultural sphere is represented by the Centre for Culture and Leisure, established in 2018 on the basis of the Velykyi Kuchuriv House of Culture. 

Within its structure, a public library is also functioning, serving the residents of the community.

On the territory of the community there are modern private sports and recreation complexes, which not only create jobs but also contribute to the positive image of the community.

The Community and the War

The Velykyi Kuchuriv Community is a rear community, and therefore combat actions did not directly affect it. However, from the very first days of the full-scale invasion, the community actively joined in helping the state and internally displaced persons.

During 2022–2024, the community received more than 3,000 internally displaced persons. As of 01.01.2025, 164 people were registered.

From the first days of the full-scale invasion, residents of the Velykyi Kuchuriv Community stood up to defend Ukraine. More than 600 servicemen from the community are now fighting in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 34 warriors from the community gave their lives for the freedom and independence of Ukraine. 21 servicemen are considered missing.

Despite all the challenges of the time, the community actively supports the volunteer movement, organises humanitarian headquarters, fundraising, weaving of camouflage nets, delivery of equipment and medicines. A considerable number of vehicles were purchased with the funds of residents and transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

People of the Community

Vasyl Toderenchuk is an active head of the community, who coordinates the development strategy, maintains dialogue with residents and initiates the attraction of international assistance.

In the Velykyi Kuchuriv Community, civic, youth and volunteer initiatives are actively operating, bringing people together around important causes. Patriotic, cultural and educational events are organised here, as well as remembrance actions and support for the families of fallen soldiers. Young people are involved in decision-making and are brought up in the spirit of active civic responsibility. 

Before the war, the community was widely known for its festivals, competitions and cultural and educational events. Today life has changed, but it has not stopped — residents continue to unite, support each other and maintain the tradition of active community life.

Development Strategy

The Velykyi Kuchuriv Community is actively implementing strategic planning as the basis for its development. Since June 2020, it has joined the DOBRE Programme, financed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This confirmed its effective participation in the processes of decentralisation and strengthening the capacity of local self-government. During this time, together with experts from the DOBRE Programme, about twenty projects were implemented, and the Development Strategy of the Community for 2021–2029 was drafted and approved.

In 2025, the community began the process of updating the Strategy. At this new stage of development, three strategic goals have been defined, covering the key priorities of the community’s development until 2027:

Strategic Goal 1: The Community – a Centre of Entrepreneurship and Leisure

• development of entrepreneurial activity in the community;
• increasing investment potential;
• expansion of tourism and recreational opportunities of the community.

Strategic Goal 2: The Community – a Territory of Comfort and Safety

• improvement of the community’s territory
• development of local safety infrastructure;
• improvement of engineering and transport infrastructure;
• enhancement of water supply and sewerage services;
• development of alternative energy sources and energy-saving technologies.

Strategic Goal 3: The Community – a Safe Space for Development and Self-Realisation

• development of an inclusive child-centred educational environment;
• preservation and development of the community’s potential in the field of culture and sports;
• improvement of the level of medical and social protection of the population

Sources

• Official website of the Velykyi Kuchuriv Community: vk-stg.gov.ua
• Official Facebook page of the Velykyi Kuchuriv Community: facebook.com
• Photo collection taken on the territory of the Velykyi Kuchuriv Community within the USAID DOBRE Programme and provided to the Velykyi Kuchuriv Village Council for free use.