Irshava Territorial Community

Irshava Mayor Viktor Symkanynets was elected in 2020. Prior to that, he had 20 years of management experience in various institutions and establishments, but the current opportunities for local self-government and the threats caused by the war presented him with a new challenge. The mayor’s personal role in allocating funds for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – more than 23 million hryvnias from the city budget has been financed for the defence forces.

Since February 2022, with the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Irshava community has become a transit and host community for internally displaced persons and relocated businesses. In the first few months, around 3,000 people registered with the community. Currently, there are approximately 400 IDPs, 50 of whom reside in two compact settlements. 

The authorities, various non-governmental and religious organisations, and local residents support them in every way possible. In particular, thanks to cooperation with philanthropists from various countries, the public organisations Irshavski Promeni, Pobazhannia, Volontery Zakarpattia and others delivered dozens of tonnes of humanitarian aid for civilians, which was provided to local IDPs and sent to various regions of Ukraine. A fire engine donated by the community of Lindau, Germany, has been on duty at the Irshava State Emergency Service since 2023.In cooperation with the authorities and local businesses, seven Ukrainian companies have relocated to the community, which has had a positive impact on its economic development.From the very first days of the full-scale invasion, the community’s residents stood up to defend their country. Over 300 local men and women serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As of today, 42 soldiers from the community have been killed and more than 15 are missing. 

Irshava is home to representative offices of the Zakarpattia municipal institution “Veterans’ Space ‘At Home’” and the Zakarpattia Regional Centre for Training the Population for National Resistance. Here, social support is provided to combatants, persons with disabilities resulting from war and their families, those who have returned from captivity, families of the deceased, families of those missing under special circumstances, and they also actively participate in community life, promoting national and patriotic education of the younger generation in every way possible. The community regularly holds charity fairs in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other fundraising events for the needs of the military. Residents, community and volunteer organisations, children, young people and businesses are organising fundraising in various ways to purchase and repair equipment for the military, drones, various ammunition and other aid. Local housewives constantly prepare and send treats to our defenders.In the early days, community members of all ages organised themselves to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The first volunteer centre was set up in the gym of Irshava Lyceum No. 1. Subsequently, volunteers established an initiative group called ‘From Irshava with Love.’ Similar collection points for military and civilian aid were organised in all educational institutions and local councils in the community.

In 2023, VOG ‘SOHTASH’ was established – an international volunteer task force that organises the provision of various types of vehicles, UAVs, means of generating and producing alternative energy and heat, etc. to the combat units of the Ukrainian defence forces.

The presence of natural and mineral resources – deposits of brown coal (lignite), natural mineral paints, decorative tuffs, marble limestone, bentonite clay, ceramic clay, andesites, forests using the latest technological solutions – are not only a strong point for community development, but also highly attractive for investment.

The main types of economic activity are machine building, woodworking, mining and light industry, and agriculture. Powerful enterprises such as K’Len, Ilnytskyi Zavod MZU, BEB, Bereg Kabel GmbH, and Sleep ID Ukraine have a significant impact on the local economy, providing jobs and supplying products to domestic and international markets. 

In recent years, carriers providing international and domestic logistics services have received a boost to their development. There are about 20 of them registered in the community. The potential for the development of craft production and horticulture has increased. Blacksmithing, beekeeping, cheese production, and confectionery are among the most developed crafts and agricultural industries in the community.The community has a well-developed tourist and recreational infrastructure: hotel and restaurant complexes, recreation centres, green estates.

The Irshava community pays considerable attention to the development of education, culture and sport. There are 23 pre-school educational institutions, 21 schools, 4 extracurricular institutions and an inclusive resource centre available to the youngest children. Art and food festivals, sports competitions and half marathons are held here.  Since 2019, a ‘Community Initiatives Budget’ has been introduced.In Irshava, they train champions of Ukraine, Europe and the world. Under the guidance of wise mentors, hundreds of children in the community engage in their favourite sports: boxing, football, Goju-ryu karate, checkers, volleyball, judo, weightlifting.Every year, the branch of the Central Camp for Tourist Activists of Ukraine, part of the Ukrainian State Centre for National-Patriotic Education, Local History and Tourism, located in the village of Osii, hosts various competitions, rallies, summer schools and other events, not only for schoolchildren. Traditionally, teams from all regions of Ukraine gather here to participate in the All-Ukrainian military-patriotic game for children and youth called ‘Sokil’ (‘Dzhura’).The network of healthcare facilities includes: Irshava City Hospital, nine general practice family medicine clinics, eight paramedic stations, and the Irshava Primary Healthcare Centre.