Community presentation

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Ivanivska settlement community of the Henichesk Rayon of the Kherson Oblast

A community located among the endless steppes of the Kherson region. It is the custodian of an invaluable treasure - fertile land and active, hardworking people who value freedom and the right to work freely on free land, protecting traditions, culture, and their main treasure - land and water. The environmentally friendly community created and restored green spaces and reservoirs in the arid steppes, and educated environmentally conscious citizens. And now it is waiting for liberation.

General information about the community

In the process of decentralization reform, the Ivanivka settlement territorial community of the Henichesk district of the Kherson region united the village of Ivanivka (administrative center) and 27 rural settlements: Balashove, Kvitkove, Blagodatne, Tymofiivka, Voskresenka, Mykhailivka, Novovasylivka, Novomykolaivka, Shyroka Balka, Novosemenivka, Martivka, Trokhymivka, Zakharivka, Novodmitrivka Perva, Shchaslyve, Shotivka, Veselivka, Ahaimany, Druzhbivka, Lyubymivka, Novodmitrivka Druha, Dmytrivka, Fedorivka, Novoznamianka, Pershotravneve, Ukrainske, and Zelenyi Hai.

Coordinates: 46.71533419079724, 34.54596661156714

The total area of the community is 1120.1 km2, which is (3.93%) of the territory of Kherson region.

The community has road and rail connections with both the southern and northern regions of Ukraine.

The administrative center of the community, Ivanivka village, is located 175 km from the regional center, the city of Kherson, 36 km from the railway station “Sirohozi”

Ivanivka settlement community borders on Nyzhniosirohozka, Askaniye-Nova, Novotroitska, Henicheska communities of Kherson region and Zaporizhzhia region.   It has partnerships with its neighbors.

 In 2022, the community's population amounted to 12.9 thousand people, including 8.1 thousand people of working age. It is currently known that about 3,700 people have left the community for the free territory of Ukraine.

Most citizens own land ranging from 2.0 to 13.0 hectares. In total, there are more than seven thousand landowners in the community.

History

The territory of the modern Ivanivka community is located on lands shrouded in myths and legends from ancient times. The peoples who lived here since 17 thousand BC left behind numerous archaeological sites, including 46 mounds dating back to the Bronze and Early Iron Ages.

A significant territory of the community lies within a unique geological formation - the Agaimansky sub, part of which has the status of a local nature reserve. The total area of the pit is more than 100 km2.

Pods are huge depressions in the earth's crust, formed probably in the post-glacial period and were natural moisture accumulators, a kind of green oases in the steppes that provided shelter for both people and animals in unfavorable climatic periods.

Our steppes were a part of the great Chumak route to the Crimea. And the name pod most likely comes from the ancient word “haimuvaty” (to slow down), since the “banks” of the pods had a steep slope and heavy carts had to be slowed down.

That is why our lands are preserved by legends and stories of Cossack times. The Ivanovo steppes are a kind of “corridor of peoples”. Its active development in the recent past began two centuries ago. Settlements such as Ivanivka and Ahaimany were founded by immigrants from Prydniprovia. The community was actively building its future, overcoming difficulties and obstacles. Its residents were unique builders of irrigation systems, looking for underground sources. History has crystallized Ivanivtsi into farmers and water seekers.

 Economy and welfare

Economy. The community has road and rail connections to the southern and northern directions of Ukraine. The international highway M-14 passes through the community. Also, the T2209 road Velyka Lepetikha-Ivanivka-Henichesk, which leads to the Azov Sea and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, runs along the community. All 28 settlements of the community have b economic ties with each other.

Together, they formed a harmonious, well-developed agricultural cluster specializing in growing grain crops, vegetables, and livestock. This was facilitated by the structure of the community's land.

The community's territory is 112.0 thousand hectares, including 105.3 thousand hectares of agricultural land (or 5.3% of the agricultural land area), and 95.1 (or 90.3%) thousand hectares of arable land.

There were 151 business entities in the community, including 127 farms. Among them are such powerful ones as Sansanagro LLD in Blahodatne village, Urozhay 2 Farm in Novovasylivka village, Terra 2017 LLD in Ukrainske village, Athena State Agricultural Enterprise LLD in Ivanivka village, Pivdenne State Agricultural Enterprise in Lyubymivka village, Alef LTD  in Ivanivka village, Druzhbivka LLD in Druzhbivka village, specializing in growing crops. A significant part of the land, namely 19.7 thousand hectares, was irrigated.

The Kakhovka main irrigation canal runs through the territory of the Ivanivska community, with a length of 30 km, its width was 75 m and depth was 6-6.5 m. This water was used by the Ivanivka Interdistrict Water Management Department to irrigate land and meet the domestic needs of the community's residents.

Ecology. Currently, the canal is practically not used for its intended purpose.

In recent years, the community has been actively developing the exploration and use of water resources for irrigation as an alternative to the Kakhovka irrigation system.

These include 37 artesian wells, which will ensure an optimal balance of resources for the agricultural sector.

(Pumping water into a pond in Ukrainske village, 2021)

We created and filled ponds, restored wells, and drilled wells, taking care of every drop of water. In some settlements of the community, wells are still functioning.

(Cleaning wells. Their second life)

The village council systematically cleaned the wells. In particular, in the village of Ivanivka, 6 wells were cleaned in 2020.

The creation of artificial reservoirs in the steppe is a titanic work that was implemented in the community in a short time.

(Pond in the village of Ivanivka)

Greening of settlements, increasing the area of green spaces and forest belts in the community was one of the priority areas of work in the context of climate change. During 2015-2021, 3,000 rose seedlings, 2,000 seedlings of various flowers, 500 fir trees, and 30,000 tree and shrub seedlings were planted in the community. The community was transformed into a wonderful oasis by the efforts of the community.

(Planting greenery)

The network of internal roads in the community between settlements is more than 350 km long. The community took care of the development of road infrastructure and built an asphalt production facility.

Since the 2000s, craft production of confectionery, bakery, and sausage products has been actively developing. The community produces vegetable oil, honey, sausages and smoked meats, and dairy products. Small processing enterprises operate, and some products are exported.

The community has unique craftsmen. In particular, Liubov Chkan is a craftswoman who creates unique art dolls with a unique design and character. She uses different materials and pays attention to every detail to create an exclusive product. Each work is created in only one copy. She received many orders to make original dolls for special gifts, and even outside of Ukraine.

Every year, Ivanivka hosted festivals and fairs where manufacturers demonstrated and sold their products.

The community is now ready to offer investors land plots for alternative energy facilities and processing plants.

Well-being

 For five years of its pre-war existence, the community has been building conditions for the education and upbringing of children.  After all, a modern school is not only about knowledge, but also about comfort, safety and energy efficiency. Education is the heart of the community. Even when the world shudders from a brutal war, it remains a pillar that does not allow you to break, gives you hope and faith in tomorrow.

Of the 10 general secondary education institutions that operated on the territory of the village council until 2022 and educated 1233 students, the educational process for children of the Ivanivka community is now organized in a remote format only at one of them - Ivanivka Lyceum No. 1 of the Ivanivka Village Council of the Kherson region, where 544 students graduated in the 2024-2025 academic year.

The community's educational institutions have become a favorite place for children and parents. We are a community that cares about the future, about quality education and a comfortable environment.

Sports and a healthy lifestyle have always played a prominent role in the community. Numerous sports sections helped the children of our community to acquire the qualities necessary for life.

Experienced coaches bring up energetic, b-minded people. There were wrestling, tourism and football sections in the community.

During the war, we created conditions for effective education of children.  Teachers' and students' workplaces are equipped with modern technology thanks to government and international support.

Thanks to the support of the state, international partners and caring people, students in our community have received everything they need for distance learning.

This creates opportunities to stay in touch with teachers and classmates despite the war, distance, and challenges. Students connect to online lessons in bomb shelters, in the temporarily occupied territories, and abroad - but with one common desire: to gain knowledge and receive Ukrainian education.

The community continues to take care of its young citizens during the war.

The All-Ukrainian children's and youth military-patriotic game Sokil (Dzhura) is the embodiment of ancient Cossack traditions passed down from generation to generation.

Through the competition, children were introduced to the heroic heritage and realize the importance of national identity. Sports in the community brought together different age groups: from children to veterans.

People of the community

The Ivanivska community is a community of b and creative people

Viktor Debelyi has been leading the Ivanivska community since 2017. In a short time, he has created an energetic and professional management team and together with it has implemented many projects aimed at community development.

From the first days of the war to the present day, the community, led by Viktor Debel, has been actively helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine bring the Victory closer.

In 2023, he was awarded an honorary badge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine “For Assistance to the Army” during the liberation of the right bank of the Kherson region.

Ihor Braginets is a Kyokushinkai karate coach who has become a mentor to children and teenagers in the Ivanivka community. Among his students there are 2 masters of sports, about 20 are candidates for master of sports, winners of regional, national, European and world competitions!

Ivan Batayev, the head of the local history and tourism section, instilled in the children a love for their native land and helped them learn survival and resilience skills. The sport, which is unusual for the steppe region, aroused real enthusiasm among both children and adults. It taught leadership and endurance.

Vitalii Lezhniuk, physical education teacher at Ivanivka Lyceum No. 1. For the first time in the district, he organized the girls' football team "Iskra". Under his coaching, the perky "sparks" won regional competitions three times.

In addition to his passion for football, Vitaliy Viktorovych is a black belt in karate, 3-time champion of Ukraine, 7-time champion of the region in karate, silver medalist of the European Championship! Currently, in Kyiv, he is a kyokushin karate coach, conducts volunteer activities: adaptive karate activities to support the physical activity of children and youth with mental disabilities at the NGO "Viken".

Halyna Mohurenko and Olena Degtyareva. Unique confectioners They left the occupied community and continue to create sweet masterpieces by relocating their business.

(Halyna Mohurenko)

(Olena Degtyareva)

Yevhen Kaus, junior sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, veteran.

In 2022, he was seriously injured, but he worked hard to improve himself and became an example for his family and comrades.  In 2025, he took part in the Invictus Games 2025 as a member of the national team of Ukraine Invictus Games: Team Ukraine.

Maksym Kuzmenko is a defender of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, participated in the battles for the liberation of the right bank of the Kherson region, was wounded, but continues to serve. He has received special military awards. In April 2025, the Ivanivka Village Council received a letter of gratitude from the highest military command for the fact that our community nurtures the faithful sons of Ukraine.

Cohesion and cooperation are the qualities inherent in our citizens.  The tradition of supporting fellow citizens, organizing charity events and clean-ups helps us to support those in need even during the war on the free territory of Ukraine.

We have always preserved our traditions and no one can take away our right to be Ukrainians.

Community and War

 The territory of the community was occupied in the first days of the large-scale invasion. From the first days of the occupation, residents of the Ivanivka community showed unwavering courage and resisted the invaders, coming out with yellow and blue flags and ribbons to the central square of the village and organizing a peaceful assembly. Thus, at the end of February 2022, when endless columns of enemy military equipment were moving through the streets of the community, residents came out to a rally dedicated to the independence and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state, thus demonstrating their loyalty to Ukraine.

Educators, doctors, cultural workers, and civil servants left. We did everything possible to ensure that citizens could receive maximum services from the community. Many families with children left.

Looting and illegal settlement in the homes of people who were forced to leave is ongoing. Many community members were forced to leave the occupied territory due to harassment and illegal actions of the occupiers. The leadership of the local council and the majority of officials and deputies remained loyal to the state, moved to the territory controlled by Ukraine and continue to work remotely, helping the army and, together with everyone else, bringing the Victory closer. Almost all educational institutions have been looted.

Currently, the key task of the community leadership is to provide rehabilitation and social protection and administrative services to the residents of Ivanivka, including war veterans and their families.

Since 2022, 230 citizens of the Ivanivka community have been defending Ukraine in the armed forces and performing their civic duty in the national police and the SES

 17 citizens of Ivanivka have been killed at the front. Many were injured.

In 2023, the Russian occupiers blew up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, as a result of which the Kakhovka main canal ceased to function and residents of the entire left-bank Kherson region were left without quality drinking water and agricultural land without irrigation.

The Ivanivka village community became one of the co-founders of the Kherson Regional Humanitarian Office (KHOU) in Kryvyi Rih to support internally displaced persons.

In addition to providing humanitarian aid, the Center performs an important social function by facilitating the adaptation and integration of IDPs in the new environment, providing them with the necessary services and support.

As of July 20, 2025, 4146 families were registered for support. A significant number of them are people with disabilities, the elderly and people with limited mobility. At the XAB, IDPs receive not only humanitarian aid, but also a number of important services: free legal support, free psychological support, and rehabilitation equipment for people with limited mobility (mobility aids).

There is an Administrative Services Center, where people can get help in preparing documents for participation in programs to support local communities and the military, as well as employment counseling from the Kherson Employment Center Humanitarian aid is delivered to people with limited mobility. Various events for children are also held on the basis of the humanitarian HAB.

The community is developing partnerships for future reconstruction. Memorandums of cooperation have been signed with many foundations and NGOs to implement community cohesion projects.  We are constantly in touch with IDPs. The community informs, educates, and supports them.

Development Strategy

 The community has developed and is doing everything possible to prepare for the implementation of the de-occupation plan for the community territory, which defines the priority de-occupation measures:

- demining of the territories with the participation of the community state;

- public-private partnership as a basis for community recovery;

- restoration of the technological base of the agro9industrial complex;

- promotion of investment climate improvement and development of international cooperation;

- development of tourism potential;

- creation of conditions for the development and renewal of human capital;

- provision of quality and accessible administrative and social services;

- relation to the 

Community Vision and Strategic Goals

 The Ivanivka community is a place for life and self-realization of all those who strive for success on their land, with their work and mind. By developing agricultural production based on modern technologies, energy and resource conservation with maximum added value, the community will achieve the standards of a circular economy. Develop public areas as comfortable, inclusive and environmentally friendly. To realize this, we have the following goals:

Objective 1: The network of institutions that provide all types of social services meets the needs of the community and is in line with good governance practices.

Objective 2. Equal conditions and access to resources for business.

Objective 3: Safe, inclusive territory of the community settlements. Rational and resource-efficient system of life support of settlements

We are aware of the challenges and will ensure energy and water autonomy through exploration and exploitation of water resources and development of alternative energy sources. We will create the broadest possible conditions for attracting investment.

Sources

1. Official website of Ivanivka village council: https://ivanivka-gromada.gov.ua/

2. Facebook page of the Ivanivka settlement military administration: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558778687719&locale=uk_UA

3. Facebook group of the Ivanivka village military administration: https://www.facebook.com/groups/706638270998513?locale=uk_UA

4. Official website of the Center for Administrative Services of the settlement council: https://cnap.ivanivka-gromada.gov.ua/

5. Ivanivka Village Council Facebook group (until 2022) “We are different, but we are together!”: https://www.facebook.com/groups/157155921632084?locale=uk_UA

The photos for the presentation belong to the citizens of the Ivanivka settlement territorial community who gave permission for their publication.