On 15 July, an atmosphere of sincerity, warmth and common cause reigned in the village of Bystryk in the Zhytomyr region – this is how the celebration of the Day of the Ruzhyn Territorial Community took place.

This day became special thanks to the national project “Sustainable Communities of Ukraine”, initiated by NIBULON in partnership with the NGO “Sustainable Communities and Water Reservoirs of Ukraine”, the NGO “MAYORS’ CLUB” and other like-minded people.

The project covers a series of educational and cultural events in the most remote communities of Ukraine and is designed to support those who change their village or city for the better every day. And it is symbolic that on the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, we talked about and celebrated the power of communities – the foundation of a strong state.

In the morning, a training module for starostas and school principals from all starosta districts was held at the local house of culture. From lectures on opportunities for civic engagement to practical advice on grants and project management, everything was focused on real tools that can be implemented today. And the participants were especially inspired by Larysa Romanyshyn, STEM teacher of the year 2024 of the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine. She shared warm examples from her own experience of how interesting school initiatives can awaken a love of science and engineering in children.

The official part of the event started at 11:00. Warm words of support and gratitude were expressed by community representatives and organisers, including Liudmyla Bilyak, head of the Ruzhynska TG, and Viacheslav Varvarynets, head of the Khmilnyk cluster of NIBULON.

And then the space was filled with aromas, laughter and music. All thanks to the sandwich festival from local entrepreneurs, where everyone could enjoy interesting and unusual “bread delicacies” and drinks for free.

The culmination of the holiday was a big concert from the Folk Music programme, which gave emotions 100%, because that day the community was visited by:

• People’s Artist of Ukraine Oksana Pekun (host and star of the stage)
• Honoured Artist of Ukraine Serhii Bezsonov
• Gromytsia ensemble
• Kalyna folk group

The event gathered more than 300 guests and symbolically coincided with the beginning of the harvest by the NIBULON branch in this community, which was also reminded by the ritual didukhs that decorated the stage for the holiday.

Children, adults, educators, entrepreneurs, starostas, residents of the hromada, which has 13 starosta districts, all came together. The children were happy, playing, singing. Their sincerity is the best gratitude for the jointly organised holiday. And our special thanks to our partners in the Sustainable Communities of Ukraine project: NGO “Sustainable Communities and Water Reservoirs of Ukraine”, Club of Mayors, ZARINA Jewellery House, Educational Initiatives Foundation, Sika Ukraine, AV Group – sustainable consulting, Association of Sustainable Development Experts, Folk music.

See more photos at the link.

This day in Bystryk reminded us once again that a community is more than a territory. It is about shared values, support and a desire to build the future together.

Thanks to the support of NIBULON and our partners, the Ruzhyn Community Day has become more than a holiday – it’s a vivid example of how business, community and education can go hand in hand for a common goal.