Launching a Series of Interviews with Representatives of Communities Participating in the “Localist” Project
What lies behind successful change in a community? First and foremost, it is the people who are willing to learn, seek new opportunities, and turn their ideas into action.
Tradition, Energy Independence and More Than UAH 50 Million in Grant Funding: How the Kodyma Community Is Creating New Opportunities
The Kodyma community in Odesa region proves that success is not a matter of chance, but the result of a clear and consistent strategy. In this article, we explore how the community has combined longstanding traditions with innovative solar power solutions, addressed staff shortages, and attracted more than UAH 50 million in international funding.
Aliona Medvedieva, Head of the Economic Development and Investment Department at the Kodyma City Council, shared the details of this transformation, practical experience, and key insights with us.
1. The Community in Numbers and Facts
The Kodyma urban territorial community is located in the north-western part of Odesa region, in Podilskyi District. It comprises 21 settlements, covers an area of 703 km², and has a population of approximately 23,000 people.
The community’s own-source budget revenues amount to UAH 190 million, while the total budget, including subventions, is approximately UAH 360 million. The community has also attracted more than UAH 50 million in international donor and humanitarian assistance.
The local economy is primarily based on agriculture, processing and extractive industries. Key businesses operate in agricultural production, concentrated juice manufacturing, and limestone extraction.
2. A Surprising Fact About the Community
The Kodyma community is home to a historic wooden windmill, which has become one of its distinctive tourist attractions. At the same time, the community has a rich tradition of intangible cultural heritage. It is here that the documentary film Shpakiv Shliakh was created. Also, before the full-scale invasion, the large-scale Kodyma-Fest cultural festival was held there. The festival promoted local traditions far beyond the community.
Over the past several years, the Kodyma community has implemented a wide range of initiatives that have made everyday life safer, more convenient, and more resilient.
In 2025, the Association of Amalgamated Territorial Communities recognised the community with the “Best Practice in Security” award for developing modern shelters, introducing a video surveillance system, and strengthening the network of community police officers.
Another key priority for the community is energy efficiency. Several important projects have already been implemented, while new initiatives are currently in preparation.
Yet the team’s greatest source of pride is a project that has given local residents a stronger sense of security and confidence in the future:
“We are most proud that, thanks to the leadership of the mayor and strong teamwork, we have built an effective municipal enterprise almost from scratch. It provides residents with essential water supply, wastewater management, and municipal solid waste services. We are particularly pleased that this experience was recognised by USAID’s HOVERLA Activity as one of the best practices in Ukraine!”
3. From Challenges to Solutions: How to Keep Moving Forward
The past few years have tested the community’s resilience through several systemic challenges, including a severe shortage of qualified personnel, low wages in the municipal sector, and the lack of an up-to-date Development Strategy.
The community made three attempts to develop this key strategic document, starting in 2021. The first two attempts were derailed by limited resources and external circumstances, but the team refused to give up.
To break this cycle, the community took decisive steps: it convinced the leadership to strengthen the economic development function and established a dedicated position responsible for grant fundraising and international cooperation.
At the same time, specialists strengthened their skills in strategic planning, sought expert partners, and participated in sector-specific events.
Thanks to this persistence, the third attempt proved successful. Today, the Development Strategy of the Kodyma community is at the final stage of approval.
“The key lesson and solution for us was not to wait for ideal conditions. Starting to act even with limited resources, not giving up after setbacks, and consistently moving towards our goal – that is what has helped the community make progress despite all the challenges.”
4. Achievements: From Energy Independence to Care for Every Resident
From the first days of the full-scale invasion, the Kodyma community quickly adapted to the new reality. It was among the first communities in northern Odesa region to establish two shelters for internally displaced persons, with capacities of 80 and 50 people respectively, providing refuge to those who had lost their homes.
Through strong cooperation with international partners, the community gained access to services that had previously seemed out of reach:
A Social Taxi service and a mobile administrative services centre (CNAP) were launched to serve residents of remote settlements.
A new outpatient clinic was opened in one of the villages, and the community received a mobile medical unit on wheels for outreach medical examinations.
Solar power plants were installed – a 30 kW system for a school and a 90 kW system for the local hospital.
The hospital project was a particularly significant achievement, and one that Aliona speaks about with special enthusiasm:
“I am most proud of the project to install a 90 kW solar power plant for the hospital. The project has reduced the hospital’s electricity costs and strengthened its energy resilience. The savings are being redirected towards purchasing medicines and improving the medical facility’s equipment and supplies.
Residents of the community now have access to more stable and higher-quality healthcare services, while the hospital has more resources to meet patients’ needs. The project was implemented with the support of international partners, while the NGO EcoClub provided coordination and expert support throughout its implementation.”
5. A New Impetus Through the “Localist” Project
Training and mentoring support provided through GoLOCAL’s “Localist” project have given the Kodyma community a powerful impetus for systemic development and the search for new partnerships.
Today, the community is actively pursuing a green development agenda and working on concrete infrastructure improvements.
The community representative describes one of its current practical projects:
“The community is currently working with Czech partners to implement a project to install a solar power plant for the children’s and youth sports school. The equipment has already been received from our partners, and the community is now organising the construction works.”
Participation in the programme also helped the community rethink the very philosophy of municipal governance, placing residents’ needs and quality of life at the centre of decision-making:
“The most valuable insight was realising that the ultimate result of any project is not simply cost savings or new infrastructure, but, above all, the way it improves people’s lives. People must be at the centre of every decision made by the local government.”
The knowledge gained during the mentoring sessions is already being integrated into the team’s daily work and is helping them systematically identify additional funding opportunities:
“I am already using the tools for identifying grant opportunities that I learned about during the training. In particular, I subscribed to the recommended information channels and newsletters, which help me quickly identify new calls and support programmes.”
For the Kodyma community, open dialogue with residents is the key to effective governance and continued development:
“The most important thing is learning to listen to our residents more closely and maintaining continuous communication with them. Involving citizens in decision-making makes projects more relevant to their needs, strengthens trust in local authorities, and helps us develop the community more effectively.”
6. The People and the Future of the Kodyma Community
The driving force behind change in the Kodyma community is, first and foremost, the active team of the city council led by the mayor, including deputy mayors, heads of structural departments, and managers of municipal enterprises, institutions, and facilities.
It is this collaborative approach that enables the community to implement new projects and attract partners.
The community has a clear vision and strong aspirations for its future:
“We envision our community as modern, resilient, and developing in line with the principles of the European Union. A community that actively implements innovative projects, expands international partnerships, and creates the conditions for young people to stay, work, and fulfil their potential at home.”
What helps the team keep moving forward even when resources are limited and challenges continue to grow is a strong sense of responsibility, integrity, and the understanding that their work must ultimately benefit people.
The greatest motivation comes from seeing how joint efforts make the community a better place for local families to live.
When asked what inspires the community to keep moving forward, the answer is clear:
“What inspires us most are tangible results. When an idea becomes a completed project and residents gain access to better services or new opportunities, it motivates us to keep working and looking for new solutions.”
The Kodyma community is also eager to share its experience with others, encouraging communities not to be afraid to take their first steps into project development:
“Start with learning. Grants are not about luck – they are about knowledge and systematic work. Start with small projects and take part in training programmes. This is how a team builds the experience that will eventually enable it to implement larger and more complex projects.”
