Environmental protection represents the dependence of the future on the present. Our responsible use of natural resources, plastic and polyethylene, sorting of garbage, etc. today, define what our planet will look like in future. That is why it is so important to raise the level of environmental awareness and take care of our common home – the Earth.

The “Active Community” All-Ukrainian Initiative and Ecofriendly Ukraine environmental initiative have jointly held a contest of short stories about the personal successes of citizens, environmental activists in promoting the environmental development of the cities and communities – “The Story of My Community’s Eco-Development.”

According to Liudmyla Chernenko, Head of the Ecofriendly Ukraine environmental protection initiative, “the environmental development of joint territorial communities now largely falls on the shoulders of volunteers and environmental activists, depending on their activity, initiative and available resources. Therefore, the exchange of experiences, and especially positive ones between communities, is currently the most effective way to be inspired, to find efficient areas and tools for the environmental development of their communities.”

In turn, Oleksandra Hlizhynska, the Executive Director of the Republic Institute and a co-founder of “Active Community” All-Ukrainian Initiative, believes that “the contest is important, above all, for focusing on 2 key factors that need to be developed in Ukraine: the first one is the activity of citizens, the second one is the environmental culture and eco-activity”.

Participants sent materials in the form of essays and short videos. In total, more than 30 contest materials from all over Ukraine were submitted. 3 winners were identified separately in the nominations for “essay” and “video”.

We suggest learning the story, which won the first prize in the nomination for “essay”, in more detail. The story of eco-development of the city of Korets (Rivne region) about the restoration, arrangement and maintenance of public water sources on the territory of Korets city council won the first prize. Thus, by the joint efforts of the authorities and the people, the spring of St. Mykola, located in the Nebesna Sotnia str., and the “Jewish Tears” spring located at 4, Fabrychna str., were restored and maintained. Information and advertising events were also held (district and regional mass media, radio broadcasting, regional television, press, advertising). Thus, after the implemented measures, the environmental situation has significantly improved, the springs in the city have been brought in line with sanitary requirements, and woodlands have been created near water conservation areas. In addition, public environmental culture with regard to caring for the environment has improved – illegal dumping has stopped, and the place is cleaned on a permanent basis. And another important point – now the residents of houses in the surrounding streets are provided with quality drinking water, without impurities, as well as with the equipped leisure areas. And the ethnic fairy-tale sculptures installed not only amuse children, but also stir up their interest in culture.

The second prize in the “essay” nomination was won by the story of the Green Life social and environmental project in the village of Briukhovychi (Lviv region). The cooperation of activists and the people concerned the following issues:

– the bags of three colors (for plastic, glass and paper) are provided free;

– the people of the village fill the bags in accordance with the recommendations and place them according to the schedule outside their yards;

– the filled bags are replaced with the empty ones;

The third prize in the “essay” nomination was shared by 2 stories. The first one is about sorting wastes together with the pupils, presented by the teacher, Olga Ivashura. After school, the children gladly carry the collected waste paper and plastic to the recycling center, and proudly put the money in a class treasury to buy food for the Homeless Animal Welfare Centre.

The second story was told by Yulia Tsukanova, the Head of the student youth association – Zhukynsky School Forestry from the Vyshhorod district of Kyiv region. During one year of the forestry operation, 120 trees (oaks, chestnut trees, apricots, cypresses) and about 13 thousand seedlings of Scots pine were planted in the forests of the district on an area of almost 3 hectares. Also 25 birdhouses were made and hung, 2 thousand 300 kg of waste paper, almost 2 thousand kg of glass, 150 kg of plastic, 25 kg of batteries were collected.

Winners in the “video” nomination

Besides the essays, the participants also submitted videos for the contest.

The first prize was given to the video by Pavlo Anikeitsev from the city of Shostka (Sumy region). Pavlo, together with environmental activists from his hometown, are engaged in gardening, namely planting of trees, as well as the elimination of waste deposits and unauthorized landfills.

The second prize was given to the video by Yurii Panasiuk from the village of Kompaniivka (Kirovohrad region), devoted to “Balka” Public Association. The residents of the village have jointly turned a waste deposit into a wonderful recreation area.

The third video is from Tetiana Kleban from the village of Novytsia, Ivano-Frankivsk region, about the Zero Waste School project. This is an all-Ukrainian contest arranged by V. Klitchko Foundation, where a team of young schoolchildren won the first prize. They developed a recycling plan and a campaign against landfills and set to work. After the cleaning, the activists brought about 1,000 kg of plastic and 3,000 kg of glass for recycling.

Note. The mission of the “Active Community” is to achieve prosperity through the democratic development of Ukrainian communities. The goal for the year 2025 is to activate and involve at least 1% of citizens in decision-making and promotion of reforms in Ukraine on a systemic basis for the well-being of Ukrainian communities. The initiative was created within the framework of activities of the Republic Institute. We work to boost the conscious activity of citizens.

Author: Head of the Public Affairs Office of “Active Community” All-Ukrainian Initiative Tetiana Kavunenko