Today we have an interview with the representatives of the South Team of Visionest Institute Ukraine Rebuilding Task Force Program. This team present the project of transforming and rebuilding the old Soviet cultural centres into multifunctional community hubs which will provide essential services like educational programs, business development support, and recreational activities for people of all ages. This initiative aims to improve the quality of life and foster a sense of community in those affected by the war areas.
Project Inception: How did the Idea Originate?
At the outset of the Program, our team began brainstorming ideas to select one for implementation. We considered agricultural development, logistics, and digital and IT directions. We aimed to implement what was most relevant both now and in the future.
We chose the idea of developing hubs – shelters in the Kherson Area. Kherson Area is constantly under shelling, yet many people remain in the city and region: youth, children, entrepreneurs, and the elderly.
One of our team members, Serhiy Romanuyk (an expert in supporting construction projects & engineering consulting), currently resides in Kherson and is well acquainted with the issues and needs. We wanted to create shelter hubs where people could safely meet for business meetings, educational programs, events, etc. Similar projects have already started to be implemented in Kherson by civil society organizations and the state.
Challenges Encountered:
During the idea discussion process, both within the team and with mentors, we faced questions and challenges such as: “how to scale such an idea further?”, “there are not many safe premises and necessary floor space available for implementing our idea”, “building from scratch in some communities of Kherson Oblast, and even in Kherson itself, is very dangerous due to constant shelling.”
Then, Oleksandr Doikov (CEO of REI Architectural Bureau) proposed the idea of reconstructing old Houses of Culture into multifunctional community centers. There are many such objects throughout the country, most of them of Soviet type, but they can be restored, moreover, some of them have basement premises that can be equipped as shelters (which is very important to consider for safety in Southern Ukraine). Our team supported this idea and took it as a basis for further detailing.
The Big Idea of the South Regional Team:
Through discussions within the team and with mentors, we refined the idea. Now our main goal is to improve the quality of life in rural areas and district centers of the regions.
The project idea is to create Multifunctional Community Centers, through which we can implement:
- educational programs for both youth and middle-aged/elderly people
- support, communication, and development of local micro and small businesses
- implementation of inclusive development in communities
- development of initiatives for environmental protection
- strategic development of tourism in southern regions
Regarding objects, we consider both the reconstruction of old Houses of Culture and new construction, for example, using modular constructions and technologies.
Gratitude to the Ukraine Rebuilding Task Force Program:
We are very grateful for the support to all mentors of the Program and participants. Special thanks to our mentor, Anne Laitinen ☀, and Anu-Mall Naarits, for their support and practical advice at every stage of the project development, assistance with ideas, constant feedback, and faith in the success of our project. Our heartfelt appreciation for the support, with love from Ukraine!
South Regional Team:
If you are interested in our idea and would like to join its development as a partner, investor, or share your own experience, we will be sincerely grateful and happy to cooperate. Please contact anyone from our team using the contacts below:
Project Inception: How did the Idea Originate?
At the outset of the Program, our team began brainstorming ideas to select one for implementation. We considered agricultural development, logistics, and digital and IT directions. We aimed to implement what was most relevant both now and in the future.
We chose the idea of developing hubs – shelters in the Kherson Area. Kherson Area is constantly under shelling, yet many people remain in the city and region: youth, children, entrepreneurs, and the elderly.
One of our team members, Serhiy Romanuyk (an expert in supporting construction projects & engineering consulting), currently resides in Kherson and is well acquainted with the issues and needs. We wanted to create shelter hubs where people could safely meet for business meetings, educational programs, events, etc. Similar projects have already started to be implemented in Kherson by civil society organizations and the state.
Challenges Encountered:
During the idea discussion process, both within the team and with mentors, we faced questions and challenges such as: “how to scale such an idea further?”, “there are not many safe premises and necessary floor space available for implementing our idea”, “building from scratch in some communities of Kherson Oblast, and even in Kherson itself, is very dangerous due to constant shelling.”
Then, Oleksandr Doikov (CEO of REI Architectural Bureau) proposed the idea of reconstructing old Houses of Culture into multifunctional community centers. There are many such objects throughout the country, most of them of Soviet type, but they can be restored, moreover, some of them have basement premises that can be equipped as shelters (which is very important to consider for safety in Southern Ukraine). Our team supported this idea and took it as a basis for further detailing.
The Big Idea of the South Regional Team:
Through discussions within the team and with mentors, we refined the idea. Now our main goal is to improve the quality of life in rural areas and district centers of the regions.
The project idea is to create Multifunctional Community Centers, through which we can implement:
- educational programs for both youth and middle-aged/elderly people
- support, communication, and development of local micro and small businesses
- implementation of inclusive development in communities
- development of initiatives for environmental protection
- strategic development of tourism in southern regions
Regarding objects, we consider both the reconstruction of old Houses of Culture and new construction, for example, using modular constructions and technologies.
Gratitude to the Ukraine Rebuilding Task Force Program:
We are very grateful for the support to all mentors of the Program and participants. Special thanks to our mentor, Anne Laitinen ☀, and Anu-Mall Naarits, for their support and practical advice at every stage of the project development, assistance with ideas, constant feedback, and faith in the success of our project. Our heartfelt appreciation for the support, with love from Ukraine!
South Regional Team:
If you are interested in our idea and would like to join its development as a partner, investor, or share your own experience, we will be sincerely grateful and happy to cooperate. Please contact anyone from our team using the contacts below:
Oleksandr Doikov (Founder and lead architect of REI Architectural Bureau)
Serhiy Romanyuk (expert in supporting of the construction project & engineering consulting)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/сергій-романюк-309506174
Ivanna Vehera(Sole proprietor and architect Ivanna Vehera, design concept and technical project of residential and public buildings)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanna-vehera-060233235
Olga Makushina (CEO of NA CHASI Agency | Website Development & Digital Marketing)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgamakushina
Olha Riznychenko (CEO & Founder of Friends of Brands | Communication Agency)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-malysh
Oleh Komarov (CEO and Founder – ACTIVE INVESTMENTC LLC (more than 20 years of practical experience in the field of financial consulting, accounting and valuation)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oleg-komarov-227093212
Mariia Gonchar (AI Ambassador, AI Agent, Prompt Engineer, Digital Marketing Manager, Entrepreneur, Architect, Designer)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariia-gonchar-43658070
Victoria Godik | Partner U-Nation, Energy Country Director of Development, Partnerships and Innovation
Yan Shapiro CEO & Founder, U-NATION, Ambassador Regional Development Agency of Odesa Region
https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-nation
https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-godik-0743832
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The Ukraine Rebuilding Task Force program is developed by Visionest Institute Estonia and implemented in cooperation with Ukraine’s Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office within the framework of the Diia.Business Ukrainian national project. The project is implemented with financial support from the U.S. Department of State Office of the Assistance Coordinator for Europe and Eurasia under the 10th Round of the Development Cooperation Partnership (DCP) Program and the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV).