Description
Our project supports ecological regeneration and community resilience in war-affected regions of Ukraine through collaborative land restoration initiatives. Coordinated by GEN Ukraine, a network of 60+ rural ecovillages, we engage residents, displaced families, eco-activists, and international allies to restore biodiversity, water systems, and landscape health in diverse ecosystems across the country.
Community Involvement
Each restoration action is community-led, co-organized by villagers, eco-activists, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and volunteers. Participation spans all ages—from children to elders—and often includes international visitors. Local families prepare the land, maintain ecosystems, and integrate results into everyday life. In some locations, entire communities of 20–40 people are engaged during single events. Women and youth play a critical role in sustaining long-term care and education.
Scale & Impact
The project spans 11+ ecovillages across Ukraine:
- Gruzke, Vesela Slobidka, Posolon, Zhyvy Dim, Kukhari
- Teplа Hora (Carpathians)
- Vasylivka (Dnipro region)
- Chmyrivka (Cherkasy region)
- Bhumі (Mykolaiv region)
- Balyky (Kyiv region)
- Lahulsk Dendropark (southern Ukraine)
Together, these locations represent a powerful grassroots effort to regenerate degraded lands, support biodiversity, and respond to climate challenges—despite war-related disruption.
Activities & Approach
Our approach combines ecological restoration with community empowerment:
- Tree planting: Over 700 trees and shrubs planted across multiple sites (linden, mulberry, pine, hazel, rhododendrons).
- Water system regeneration:
- In Tepla Hora (Carpathians), we established water collection systems and rainwater harvesting linked to a mountain stream.
- In Chmyrivka (Cherkasy region), a 4-hectare lake cascade and watershed system is under construction to restore local wetlands.
- In Vasylivka, the Samara River channel was cleared along 100 meters to revive water flow.
- Grazing-based regeneration:
- In Bhumі and Balyky, eco-farms are using managed grazing of goats and cows to regenerate soil, fertilize degraded lands, and create habitat diversity.
- Access & infrastructure:
- In Lahulsk Dendropark, a 3 km ecological road was built to support reforestation and conservation access.
These efforts are accompanied by ecological education, community gatherings, and permaculture training, building both human and ecosystem resilience.
Quantifiable Results
- 2000+ trees and bushes planted in 2024
- 5 water management systems established or under construction
- 4 hectares restored via lake and wetland system
- 100 m of river cleaned
- 3 km of ecological access road built
- 10+ active locations with 10–40 participants each
- 300+ people directly involved; 1000+ indirectly impacted
- Improved biodiversity: habitat for birds, pollinators, and soil organisms
- Soil & water retention improved in 5+ regions
This project demonstrates how communities can regenerate nature, even under stress. It merges climate action, biodiversity care, and social healing—making every planting, every trench, and every restored hectare a step toward a livable future.
Github Report here: https://github.com/maxzalevski/regenerative_lands
tree planting: https://github.com/maxzalevski/tree_planting