The Prylisne Municipality, Volyn oblast, has engaged in berry production and brought in their first investors. Today, almost 20% of the municipality population is occupied with growing berries, and the profits gained through the lease of land enable local authorities to ensure that the kindergartens and leisure centers keep working. These are the achievements of the initial implementation of the development strategy drawn up under the U-LEAD with Europe Programme, said Oleksii Hnatiuk, deputy head of village.

In his words, there were several factors at once that prompted the municipality to create a berry cluster. Those were good location, local residents’ willingness and experience, and the increase in the area resulting from decentralization reform.

«We have combined powerful resources with an extraordinary human potential. And it had to be properly used. Furthermore, the local population has long sought to engage in entrepreneurship and growing berries. We had no doubts. Besides, our land is unique. More than 65% of the territory occupied by the municipality is woodland, and such an area is ideal for growing berries, »

said Hnatiuk.

The Prylisne Municipality is witnessing an inflow of new inhabitants. Specifically, young people who used to work abroad are returning to the municipality. Hnatiuk believes that local residents no longer need to go somewhere, because they have got an opportunity to earn money at home lately.

«New jobs have emerged, enabling the population to earn their living. Investors lease land from us and invest in growing berries. As a community, we make a profit that enables us to ensure that the kindergartens and leisure centers keep working. Our municipal enterprise earns money the same way and assists the investor in cultivating land,»

said the deputy head of village assuredly.