2018 - 2024 - Incredible villages of Ukraine by Agroportal.UA
In 2018 the Netherlands Embassy in Ukraine became a partner of All-Ukrainian competition organized by on-line publication Agroportal.UA as part of its Public Diplomacy agenda.
Initially the project was aimed at the development of green tourism in Ukraine, however very soon the high potential in the development of the entrepreneurship in rural areas was discovered. Local communities from all over Ukraine took part into competitions and a network "Incredible villages" became a trend in Ukraine.
Read: Communities of the "Incredible villages of Ukraine" set a good example
In order to support the business initiatives in rural areas the Embassy suggested the following criteria for the selection committee.
• development of rural areas and regional economy;
• adherence to the principles of sustainable agriculture and circular production;
• strengthening the socio-economic position of the farmer in the supply chain "from the field to the table";
• development of social responsibility of local agrarian business;
• sustainable management and conservation of ecosystems, biodiversity and adaptation to climate change in the framework of agriculture and land use;
• promotion of green tourism;
• increasing the attractiveness of life in the village;
• development of modern rural areas with preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian countryside and traditional practices of agriculture.
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Winner of 2018
Village Nevytske, Zakarpattya region
Planing of the tulip flower bed at the entrance of the village.
The projects was implemented in cooperation with the Dutch company and landscape designer.
Read:
Dutch Embassy supports greening project of finalist of Incredible Villages of Ukraine contest
Dutch tulip field in Incredible Nevytske
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Winner of 2019
Village Lysets, Khmelnytskyi region
Greening of the hill near the waterfall.
The project was implemented in cooperation with the Dutch nursery "Kornelis"
Village Lysets received the prize from the Dutch Embassy
Greening rural areas in Ukraine
This year the public diplomacy initiative has been transformed into private sector development and close cooperation between local Berry Cooperative "Yagidnyi Rai" and the Dutch companies - supplies to horticultural sector.
Nederlandse bedrijven stimuleren aardbeienteelt in Oekraïne
Central Ukraine working trip - Incredible villages of Ukraine
Small steps, big impact. Growing vegetables in Ukraine
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Winner of 2020
Village Malomykolaivka, Dnipropetrovsk region
The women's initiative on production of candied fruit grew into the brand that is now recognized all over Ukraine. The candied pumpkin of Enza Zaden varieties became a favourite snack for many Ukrainians.
Ukrainian Village Pumpkin Fest
Герцевські крафтолики: народження теплого та смачного бренду
Dry Borsch from Malomykolaivka – hearty meal for the defenders of Ukraine
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Winners of 2022
Three villages - finalists of the competition got support from the Embassy.
The 1st place went to village Troyandove, Odesa region
“Incredible villages of Ukraine 2022”. Winners of the competition supported by NL Embassy in Ukraine
Трояндова Феєрія: чарівний дотик краси
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2023 - Incredible Craft Bag
The community of the Incredible Villages grows every year. More and more local producers join the team. The focus for the Embassy and Agroportal.ua is on quality rather then on quantity. Support of craft producers in their earning capacity and business sustainability is a priority.
Meet Incredible Craft Bag, a platform for craft producers from all over Ukraine
Ukraine: Large Farm Management Conference and Incredible Craft Bag
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Craft products become popular among Ukrainians who would like to know more about what they consume and the stories of those who make them.
Local retail chains are supporting this trend offering shelfs for small local craft producers. Many other initiatives are emerging as well. In particular, to support crafters, the online edition of AgroPortal.ua together with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine created the platform "Incredible Craft Bag".
On September 12, 2023, the participants of the international conference "Large Farm Management" (LFM) had the opportunity to get acquainted with unique local products at a craft location from AgroPortal.ua.
Read more Why is it important to support craft producers in Ukraine?
With more than 40 craft producers, Incredible Bag and Instafarmers project took part in the key agrifood event New Food Summit in Kyiv 15-16 October. AgroPortal.ua, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine, presented local products from the "Incredible craft bag" - an online platform that united the products of the finalists of the "Incredible villages of Ukraine" competition and project participants "Instafarmers".
New Food Summit provides the platform for panel discussions, networking sessions and an exhibition area. The The event brings together the key players of the agri-food market — agricultural holdings, processors, producers, distributors, retailers and HoReCa — to discuss new solutions and opportunities for cooperation.
One of the most interesting discussions of New Food Summit 2024 the "Way of Craft Producers in Ukraine", which is dedicated to the challenges that craft producers face when entering the shelves of large retail chains, as well as ways to overcome these obstacles. Read more