Do it yourself: Village in Cherkasy region opened a space that united its residents

What is the problem?

The war started by Russia became a great test for Ukrainian communities. But in spite of everything, Ukrainian villagers responded with dignity to the challenges of wartime. In crisis conditions, they continue to work, diligently help the military, collect funds and humanitarian aid, and accommodate and in every way support displaced people. Even in times of war, the inhabitants of the villages find in themselves the drive to ensure that life in their communities continues and improves. Enlisting the help of foundations and patrons, they successfully implement essential and useful ideas into the lives of communities.

What is the solution?

One of these projects was implemented in the village of Potaptsi in the  Cherkasy region in the central part of Ukraine. Residents managed to create a multifunctional space, Potaptsi HUB "Territory of unity," and fill it with warmth, coziness, modern technology, and opportunities for training, development, and support.

Rubryka spoke with project manager Lyudmila Gordenko about how the abandoned village library turned into a space that united the villagers.

How does it work?

With the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the village, like the entire Bobrytsya community, began to host internally displaced persons

As Gordenko said, the idea to create a hub was born long ago. Previously, there was no place in Potaptsi where the villagers could gather, chat and relax. The problem worsened with the start of a full-scale war. The project initiator recalls that the tension, especially in the first months of the war, was very high. "We all lacked a space where we could at least discuss the latest news," says Gordenko.

With the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the village, like the entire Bobrytsya community, began to host internally displaced persons (IDPs). In 2022, 122 settlers already lived in the village — almost half of the population of Potaptsi itself.

"People came from Kyiv, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia regions and the country's east. They also needed a space to distract themselves from what they have experienced, seen, and heard," the project manager continues. "If in the first months, the main efforts were made to ensure the basic needs of IDPs, today we are talking about long-term support."

The charitable foundation MHP – Gromadi and Private Joint Stock Company Myronivska Poultry Factory helped to realize the dream of such a support space. In August 2022, they announced a competition of projects, "Time to act, Ukraine," in which anyone willing could participate. Gordenko and like-minded people took advantage of this opportunity. At that time, more than 30 projects were submitted in the Kaniv area, to which the Potaptsi community belongs, ten of which became winners, one of which was the Potaptsi HUB "Territory of unity." The community received $2.7 thousand for developing this initiative thanks to the competition.

A space appeared in the village where locals could gather for communication, work, and distance learning because not every village family now has a stable Internet connection.

"We really wanted our village to be able to hold consultations with invited employees of the employment center, employees of the department of social protection, psychologists, and other specialists because not everyone can get to the community center for this," says Gordenko.

The aim was so that, in the end, every village resident has a place where they can gather and chat in a relaxed atmosphere.

They decided to turn the premises of the village library in the Potaptsi cultural center into a hub and implemented the project with joint efforts — Gordenko was joined by village head Nataliia Berezenko and librarian Kateryna Svytka. Other residents of the village joined in the process of work.

Gordenko admits: when they came to the library for the first time, they did not know where to start. "The library was in an unfortunate state, because no one took care of it for a long time — there was a lot of work," recalls the project's initiator. However, the initiators did not want to give up and everyone joined in.

It took two months to transform the space. People made repairs on their own — plastered and painted the walls, inserted new windows and doors, covered the floor with linoleum, installed electric convectors for heating the room, and replaced the wiring and lighting. All this was done despite constant power outages — they worked under the light of lanterns and in the cold because the club had no heating.

Gordenko recalls that many villagers helped with what they could — be it repairs or a hot drink in colder times. She says that the project was very lucky: with the charity fund, with the community leadership, which also helped, with all the assistants — the residents of the village. All the equipment for the future hub was purchased with the funds of the charity fund: laptops, tablets, TV, router, and furniture. Potaptsi residents themselves took part in the financing of the project: they jointly purchased wall decor — a clock and a creative map of Ukraine.

According to Gordenko, the project played a big role in uniting the community even in the implementation process: "People who did not know what to do one fine day realized that they have a place to come."

Residents of Potaptsi almost single-handedly created a place that now has high-speed Internet, technical equipment, high-quality repairs, and everything for conducting useful trainings and master classes for children and adults. In addition, it was possible to find a place for the library fund in the new space.

Does it really work?

The newly created hub has truly become a place where locals now gather — just as its initiators had hoped. Workshops for children are held here, where the children of IDPs get to know the locals better and practice needlework. Workshops on making Christmas decorations and wreaths, and dolls have already been held here; a family competition for the best performance of Christmas carols was held. During Butter Week, residents of Potaptsi joined the action Varenyk to the Defender — children and adults together prepared goodies for Ukrainian soldiers, collected and delivered to the front a bucket of honey, hundreds of trench candles, as well as amulets made at the master class and cards from children. Gordenko says there are still many ideas, so trainings and interesting meetings will continue.

"Our hub is only four months old, but it has become a real territory of unity for the village, as it has united not only locals and those who had to leave everything and move but also different generations within its walls," Gordenko proudly says. The project initiators were surprised because young people come to surf the Internet, search for necessary information, and watch TV. Older people visit the hub to socialize in a pleasant and comfortable place. Everyone crafts, cooks, sings and rests together.

The creative space also gave impetus to the start of a singing group — the name for it has not yet been invented, but singing lovers already regularly gather in the hub. A dance club was also created on the basis of the hub; now, the village's residents can practice there for free.

The residents of Potaptsi are not stopping there and are already planning to scale up the project. The next goal is to organize a sports center — a room for it was found next to the "Territory of Unity."

Gordenko looks to the future with hope: "You can sit and whine that nothing is being done, that no one needs us, that everything is bad for us, criticize someone's work or idea, but you can try to do something yourself," Gordenko told Rubryka.

She is sure that not only she but also many residents of communities have many ideas on how to improve life in their villages. She is convinced that only those doors open, that are knocked on, and the victory of the project and its implementation confirms this. "I hope this is only our first victory, and many more will come."

Even more useful solutions!

You can create a similar project in every Ukrainian village. Gordenko notes: even though "Territory of Unity" is her first project, it was not very difficult to create. She says that the most important thing is to know exactly what you want to achieve, what goal you are pursuing, and who can help with co-financing and carrying out work: "It is very good when you are not alone, and there are like-minded people next to you. It's hard to start, but then everything falls into place."

To help active residents of communities in Ukraine, the website My Community was created. This platform allows you to get advice on implementing this or that social project. On the site, you can find step-by-step instructions on interacting with local authorities, non-governmental organizations, charitable foundations, and businesses. There are also links to the pages of institutions and international programs offering project implementation grants. In addition, the developers of the site — Ukrainian Center for the Promotion of Investment and Trade, Step to the People, and the charitable foundation MHP – Gromadi hope that this tool will help solve problems in communities and regarding gender issues.

"After the victory, the communities will face even more challenges — from security and social to food — and here, a lot will depend on how the local leaders of the communities will build the cooperation of different parties,"  explains Tetyana Volochai, director of the MHP — Gromadi charitable foundation. "We have prepared a platform in advance that will give an understanding of where to start, where to move, and what the results can be on the example of successful cases."

She is convinced that the recovery should start now. To restore does not mean to do as it was. Often, for this, you need to build something new, more effective, and efficient, something that considers everyone's requests.