Zastavnivska Territorial Community

History

The administrative center of the Zastavna community is the city of Zastavna, which was a district center before the administrative reform. Today, Zastavna remains a key center that plays a key role in coordinating the activities of the community and providing important services to the population.

The roots of the founding of the city of Zastavna go back centuries. Archaeologists attribute its origin to the 2nd millennium BC. Zastavna was first mentioned in written documents in 1589.

The village of Verbivtsi was first mentioned in 1448. Its founders were settlers who were escaping from Turkish enslavement. The inhabitants were engaged in agriculture, cattle breeding and trade due to the favorable location on the route between Transnistria, Galicia and Chernivtsi. The trading past of the village is confirmed by the found treasure with gold and silver coins.

The village of Maly Kuchuriv is located 20 km from Chernivtsi, among the hilly landscape of the Khotyn Upland. Its first written mention dates back to February 23, 1448, and archaeological finds indicate settlement as early as the 3rd millennium BC. Remains of settlements of Trypillian, Chernyakhiv, Old Russian and other cultures have been found along the Sovytsa River. The forest around the village is a source of natural resources, and the clay reserves are suitable for the production of bricks and ceramics.

Maly Kuchuriv is known for its rich history and picturesque nature.

Economy and Welfare

Land is the greatest natural wealth and development prospect of the Zastavnivska community. The community’s land resources include agricultural lands that can be used for growing crops and developing agribusiness, and the presence of water fund lands creates opportunities for fisheries, recreation, and environmental projects.

Mineral reserves, including clay, sand, and gravel-sand mixture, open up prospects for the construction industry and other industries.

Developed transport infrastructure, including roads, railways, and proximity to major corridors, promotes economic growth and investment. The distance to the regional center is 29 km by highway and 48 km by railway. The distance to the international airport “Chernivtsi” is 35 km, which opens up prospects for international transportation. The border with Romania is 73 km, with Poland is 312 km, with Moldova is 83 km, which is important for cross-border cooperation.

Due to this location, the community has significant potential for the development of logistics services, manufacturing enterprises, and the tourism industry, creating a reliable basis for attracting investors and improving the standard of living of residents.

The basis of the community’s economy is small business and agriculture.
There are 126 legal entities and 393 individual entrepreneurs working in the community. The main areas of activity of business entities include agriculture, fisheries, horticulture, brick and tile production, retail trade, public catering, and the service sector.

The activities of agricultural enterprises play an important role in the economy of the Zastavnivska community, contributing to its sustainable development. Companies such as “Zakhidnyi Bug”, “Vioil-Zerno”, “Mriya Farming Bukovyna” and “Valiavske” not only supply the local market with agricultural products, but also create numerous jobs for the community’s residents. Their work contributes to the development of related industries, such as processing, transport and logistics.

Special attention deserves a powerful industrial enterprise – “Granit”, which specializes in the production of high-quality bricks and concrete. The company’s products are widely used in the construction of multi-storey residential buildings and cottages, thanks to which the company has gained a reputation as a reliable partner in the construction industry.

The social infrastructure of the Zastavniv community includes educational, cultural, sports, and medical institutions that meet the needs of residents and contribute to the development of the community.

The Zastavnivska community has a lyceum, a general secondary education institution, a gymnasium and a preschool, which are important centers of education and upbringing of the younger generation. These educational institutions are not only centers of knowledge, but also a platform for the development of creativity, sports and patriotism. Thematic events are regularly held here: educational competitions, sports competitions and national-patriotic events, which help to educate active and conscious citizens.

The center of professional education in the community is a higher vocational school, where students acquire sought-after specialties. Future specialists here master the professions of hairdresser, cook, carpenter, tractor driver, auto mechanic and many others.

The institution plays an important role in training qualified specialists for the region. “Zastavnivska School of Arts” provides a favorable environment for the development of young talents.

The municipal institution “Zastavnivska Children’s and Youth Sports School” serves as a real center of sports, where young people have the opportunity to choose their favorite sports, improve their physical fitness and develop their abilities.

The local handball club “Zastavna” has repeatedly won international tournaments, achieving victories and bringing joy to its fans.

The center of cultural and social life is the “Palace of Culture”, which organizes and holds events for all age groups. Its structure includes: 18 creative groups and amateur associations, cultural centers in the villages of Verbivtsi and Maly Kuchuriv, the “MYR” cinema and the Zastavniv Public Library, as well as libraries in the villages of Verbivtsi and Maly Kuchuriv.

The song and dance ensemble “Veselka”, the theaters “Mandrivnyk” and “Svitlyachok”, the choreographic studio “Prolisok”, the circles of artistic speech, pop singing, decorative and applied arts “Natkhnennia”, a health club for table tennis and a children’s association “ENGLISH CLUB” operate.

A real pearl of the community’s cultural life was the International Festival “Authentic Bukovina” named after Yevhenia Yaroshynska.

The festival is held with the support of the Bukovyna “Prosvita” and brings together folklore groups from different parts of Ukraine and other countries. The event contributes to the preservation of national traditions, popularizes the cultural heritage of the community, and also creates a space for creative exchange, international cooperation and the development of tourism in the region.
On the territory of the community there is a stadium, many sports grounds for various sports, football fields.

There are 9 religious buildings in the Zastavnivska community, representing different religious denominations.

The central square of Zastavnivka is the heart of the community. Numerous fountains, which come to life on major holidays, add a special charm to it, creating an atmosphere of joy and celebration for residents and guests of the community.

Community and War

With the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, more than three hundred residents of the Zastavnivska community heroically stood up to defend Ukraine. Unfortunately, the war brought heavy losses: several dozen Heroes gave their lives for the freedom of the Motherland, there are wounded, missing and captured defenders.

The community has rallied around the support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other defense agencies. As part of the Special Support Program, funds have been allocated for the purchase of necessary materials, vehicles, office equipment, body armor, drones, quadcopters, electronic warfare systems, and other special equipment.

The community pays special attention to helping internally displaced persons. Despite the reduction in their number to 205 people, three temporary shelters for displaced persons are operating. The Mir cinema has become a large center for collecting and distributing humanitarian aid.

Cultural and educational institutions actively hold charity events, weave camouflage nets, sew workwear, body armor for the military, make trench candles, and collect aid.

Community residents who are not on the front lines support the army by joining volunteer initiatives.

Community People

The permanent head of the Zastavnivska community since its inception is Vasyl Radysh. Vasyl Radysh was first elected mayor in November 2015. Since then, he has been re-elected twice, in 2018 and 2020. Before that, he was successfully engaged in entrepreneurial activities.

During his leadership, he made significant efforts to improve the lives of community residents, paying special attention to the improvement of territories, road repair and development of social infrastructure.

Special attention is paid to the reconstruction of educational institutions, which are updated every year. Schools, lyceums, gymnasiums have become modern centers for the education and development of youth, meeting high educational standards.

Among the famous figures whose names are closely associated with Zastavna, it is worth noting Mykola Ivasyuk – a world-famous artist, a true genius of his time. His creative output, which includes more than 500 masterpieces, is a vivid example of high art of the late 19th – early 20th centuries.

Vasyl Turetsky, a talented sculptor, painter, graphic artist, and theater artist, deserves special attention. Thanks to his efforts, a monument to Taras Shevchenko was erected in the center of Zastavna, which has become a symbol of the city’s cultural identity and pride.

Development Strategy

The Zastavnivska community is actively working on the Development Strategy and has already implemented a number of important projects. The Central Park has been renovated with new alleys, a playground and exercise machines, which has become a favorite place for residents to relax.

The city stadium has been transformed into a modern sports complex with a football field, running tracks and comfortable seats for spectators. The “Diya” ASC has been opened for quick and convenient access to services.

Bus stops, the city council administration building, a kindergarten, a sports school and a leisure center have been renovated. Roofs have been replaced at the art school, two schools and a cinema. The reconstruction of shelters, parking at the hospital has been financed, schools have been modernized and equipment for teaching “Defense of Ukraine” has been purchased. The community confidently creates comfortable conditions for residents.

Sources

• Zastavnivska Urban Territorial Community Website – zmr.gov.ua
• Official Facebook page of the city council facebook.com
• Photo collection of the general department of the Zastavnivska City Council
• Mykola Chereshnyuk “History of the villages of Zastavnivska region”