Dutch Embassy supports greening project of finalist of Incredible Villages of Ukraine contest
This year the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will support the All-Ukrainian Contest "Incredible Villages of Ukraine" for the second time.
AgroPortal.ua met with Agricultural Counsellor of the Embassy Ms. Carolien Spaans and discussed the contest and development of Ukrainian rural areas.
Last year it was the first time for the Embassy of the Netherlands to support the finalist of the contest “Incredible villages of Ukraine”. Are you satisfied with the results of the competition?
Carolien Spaans: The result was much than we could have hoped for and this is all thanks to the incredible, active and devoted people of Nevytske in Zakarpattia region. We travelled to Nevytske for the first time in September 2018, where we saw the landplot which they wanted to develop to attract the attention to the tourist potential they have since there is an ancient castle located there. After helping with planting the tulips in autumn we came back this spring and were impressed with what was created by the people of Nevytske in a real team effort. Not only were the tulips blooming, but a live photobooth was created which made all people stop and take selfies at the entrance of the village, creating a buzz on social media. For me, it was impressive to see how much can be created from a relatively small contribution.
This year the Embassy of the Netherlands again decided to support the initiative of AgroPortal.ua. Tel us about the prize for the village in your nomination.
Carolien Spaans: This year we will provide one of the finalists with an opportunity to green their village. Having green around is providing a healthy surrounding for your people but also good for the investment climate. With supporting to create a green area we wish to contribute to the development of one of the winners of the competition incredible villages of Ukraine.
What are your expectations from the contestants this year?
Carolien Spaans: I hope for creative ideas to not only attract more visitors to their area, but also to stay attractive for young people who are from that village. Vitality of the countryside and a thriving regional economy is of importance to all of us and specifically for the agricultural sector. We need people to provide for our daily food and let’s be honest, you cannot do that from Kyiv.
What experience of rural tourism Ukraine can take from the Netherlands?
Carolien Spaans: In the Netherlands we can see that more farmers are engaging in what is called multifunctional agriculture; providing tourists an opportunity to stay for one day or more days on the farm, organizing open days so that city people can see how their food is provided for, or combining the farm with health care and social care. These combinations can be very interesting. Other than that, I just love that in the Netherlands we can take our bicycles and go on specifically designed paths for cyclists. It creates very easy opportunities to enjoy the countryside.
In your opinion, what is so special about Ukrainian village and tourism?
Carolien Spaans: Ukraine as a tourist destination, besides Kyiv, is still quite unknown in western Europe. Which is very much a pity because the country is so diverse with mountains, steppe, the Black Sea and many hidden gems such as castles, old battlefields and beautiful nature. This was for me really one of the discoveries of the last three years, no matter where I go, when the roads become worse, the views get even better. But it is hard to find sometimes as well, some promotion of the historical and nature sites which are in or close to the villages in the countryside could prove to make a difference.
About the contest
The purpose of the project is to promote cooperation between small and medium-sized businesses and local self-government bodies in the village to support the development of rural areas and communities, to promote life in the countryside, to recall the historical and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian village.
Online resource AgroPortal.ua announces the launch of the IV All-Ukrainian contest "Incredible villages of Ukraine 2019".
The competition will be held with the support of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine, the Baker Tilly Ukraine Company, the Agrochebeti Educational Project, the Agroexpert Magazine.
The purpose of the project is to promote cooperation between small and medium-sized businesses and local self-government bodies in the village to support the development of rural areas and communities, to promote life in the countryside, to recall the historical and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian village.
Global goals of the project (from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals): overcoming hunger (2), agricultural development, decent work and economic growth (8), sustainable urban and community development (11), partnership for sustainable development (17).
Participants: villages and settlements (applications from urban-type villages are not accepted this year).
One of the 10 village semi-finalists will receive a green alley as a gift from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine, which will allow the village to become even more attractive.
Read in Ukrainian: http://agroportal.ua/ua/publishing/konkurs/neveroyatnye-sela-ukrainy-2019-posolstvo-korolevstva-niderlandy-pomozhet-v-ozelenenii-odnogo-iz-sel/
Read in Russian: http://agroportal.ua/publishing/konkurs/neveroyatnye-sela-ukrainy-2019-posolstvo-korolevstva-niderlandy-pomozhet-v-ozelenenii-odnogo-iz-sel/#
More information: http://agroportal.ua/ua/publishing/konkurs/startuet-iv-vseukrainskii-konkurs-neveroyatnye-sela-ukrainy-2019/