26^thApril 2012 becamearemarkabledatefortheinhabitantsofFrunzevillage, Nyzhniohirskyrayon, AR Crimea. According to the decision of Expert Council of Crimean Campaign “Success of the Year”, project supported by DESPRO and aimed at reconstruction of water supply tower became the winner in nomination “The Best Regional Project”. The award was solemnly received by community leaders in Simferopol. 

Call for Proposals was initiated by Council of Ministers of Autonomic Republic of Crimea. That is why this high award means recognition of the joint efforts of community and Swiss-Ukrainian Project “Decentralization Support in Ukraine” (DESPRO) by Crimean Government.

First place in the "The Best Regional Project" has found its heroes not by chance, because this award was the result of works lasted for years (!): work of the whole village community. Deserved award was obtained by Olena Andrusenko, head of self-organization body “Frunze Village Committee”.

While congratulating the winners, chairman of the Council of Ministers of Crimea Anatoly Mogilev noted that deserved people who develop the peninsula were award. "Your work helps Crimea to reach those heights, which it is worthy," - said the head of the Crimean government.

As for Frunze inhabitants, it all started not with fanfare, but with problem...

South-western part of Nyzhniohirsky district, where Frunze is located has dry climate, groundwater occur at a depth of 15-16 meters. In some places there is no groundwater at all. 907 village inhabitants suffered from water problems for a pretty long time. Water supply system lifetime expired long time ago. Not every household had water. Population suffered from water deficiency for they had water for 1 or 2 hours a day. Lack of water meters, gusts, steady increase of electricity costs are only some factors of bad water supply quality provision. Social institutions suffered from irregular water supply, i.e.: kindergarten worked part time, it was impossible to provide hot meals for young schoolchildren as well as it was impossible to meet sanitary standards in medical post and shops, etc.    

Having united to solve this painful problem, Frunze inhabitants
used the possibility to change situation due to methodological, expert, training and financial support provided by Swiss-Ukrainian Project “Decentralization Support in Ukraine” (DESPRO). As a result, the project aimed at renewal of village water supply network succeeded. All distribution village networks (8660 meters) were replaced. After reconstruction, the water supply system, including the sources, were rented by newly created private enterprise, selected by the community.

Project budget is UAH 316,0 thousand, including DESPRO contribution – UAH 119,0 thousand, local budget - UAH 45,0 thousand and community contribution -  UAH  152,0 thousand.  

After successful replacement of the water supply Frunze inhabitants started a second project supported by DESPRO and aimed at reconstruction of Rozhnovskoho tower. The old tower in the village was in a pretty bad condition, had numerous cracks, through which, even with a new water supplies, there was permanent loss of water. Currently, Frunze inhabitants implement their second but not the last project.

Recognition of community success is extremely important and valuable not only for its members but also for DESPRO. The success of Frunze activists is an example for other Crimean communities and for all the Ukraine. While having united one can achieve impossible!

Photo was borrowed from http://www.ark.gov.ua