Attention to Ecology, Road Conditions, Infrastructure, and Youth — Social Priorities in the Kalush Hromada

Publication date: May 23, 2025

Author: Yuliia Bilyk, Communications Manager at the Legal Development Network

In 2024, as part of the Vidnova project, the Legal Development Network, in partnership with the humanitarian organization People in Need and with funding from the Czech Development Agency, conducted a comprehensive study of the needs and potential of the Kalush hromada in the Ivano-Frankivska oblast, along with a sociological survey on social priorities. These findings formed the basis of a brand strategy, according to which the Kalush hromada will implement its development plans in 2025 and beyond. Below are select insights from the sociological survey, supplemented by expert commentary that adds depth to the understanding of the hromada’s specific characteristics.

About the Study

The Kalush hromada consists of the city of Kalush and 16 surrounding villages. The survey was conducted in December 2024 and involved 389 residents aged 16 and older from seven localities. Nearly 72% of all interviews were conducted with residents of the city of Kalush.

The survey was conducted using street interviews based on a questionnaire programmed for mobile devices. The questionnaire incorporated data from a representative study conducted in January 2021 by the NGO UFRA. While it was not possible to fully replicate the methodology of the earlier survey — which used self-completed questionnaires — despite this and the differences in data collection methods, context, and research objectives, the results from 2021 and 2024 allow for a comparative look at how certain indicators have changed over four years.

The survey was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, 166 respondents answered questions about the hromada’s strengths and weaknesses, recognition of the logo, people and landmarks associated with the Kalush hromada, opinion leaders, and sources of local news. In the second stage, 223 residents selected their preferences from a list of branding proposals developed by a working group, including descriptors, a slogan, and brand values for the Kalush hromada. Some questions were asked during both stages: all 389 respondents answered questions about priority tasks for the hromada, the quality of infrastructure and services, feelings of safety in everyday life, tensions among residents, plans to migrate, and the extent to which they feel they can influence local events. A few follow-up questions on these topics were asked only in the first stage.

“From a procedural standpoint, everything went according to plan. The interviewers completed the assigned task as expected. Our survey provided certain insights for those developing the hromada’s branding strategy and, additionally, offered an understanding of what concerned people the most at the time of the survey,” noted Maryna Shpiker, sociologist and coordinator of the comprehensive research teams.

Key Priorities in the Hromada

72% of respondents identified support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a top funding priority for the Kalush hromada. Other areas that residents considered important included road repairs and the development of public transport (30%), improvements in healthcare quality (25%), and education (21%).

The top three priorities were consistent for both Kalush and surrounding villages. However, village residents more frequently selected road repairs, development of public transport, and improvements in healthcare services as key concerns. In Kalush, more respondents prioritized economic development, entrepreneurship and employment, improved social protection, and the development of alternative energy sources and energy efficiency.

Interestingly, the allocation of funds to support the Armed Forces received stronger support from women than men. Men gave higher priority to economic development, entrepreneurship, and employment. The youngest male group (aged 16 to 24) showed the greatest interest in road repairs and public transport development, while young women in the same age group were more concerned with improving the quality of education.

“Most residents of the hromada prioritize funding for the Armed Forces. However, these same people also expect substantial improvements in municipal services, transport, healthcare, and education. Of course, all of these areas require significant funding, which the hromada currently lacks, especially during martial law. Among all the priorities, road repairs and infrastructure stand out. A large number of people pointed out that the poor condition of roads and outdated infrastructure are serious problems for the hromada and hinder the development of its tourism potential,” emphasized Mykhailo Danyshchuk, a specialist in facilitation, event moderation, mentoring, and expertise for community development in the Vidnova project in the Ivano-Frankivska oblast.

Ecology and Road Conditions — Pain Points of the Hromada

As in the 2021 survey, the 2024 questionnaire asked residents to evaluate various service and infrastructure areas in the Kalush hromada. Residents were least satisfied with road conditions and the environmental situation. 44% of respondents rated the road conditions as unsatisfactory, and 50% felt the same about the environmental situation. Notably, the 2024 ratings of these sectors had slightly improved compared to the 2021 data.

“Overall, residents of the Kalush hromada are concerned about the same issues that are currently relevant across most Ukrainian hromadas: the war, financial instability, housing conditions, the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, and the condition of roads. At the same time, when residents of the Kalush hromada reflect on its strengths and weaknesses, they always mention ecology and the environment. The environmental situation is a specific issue for the Kalush hromada,” noted Maryna Shpiker.

A likely reason for residents’ dissatisfaction with the environmental condition is their awareness of the damage caused by large industrial enterprises. Until 2022, the hromada was home to a complex of facilities for the production of petrochemical and chemical products. After the full-scale invasion, the enterprise ceased operations. This may partially explain the improvement in how residents evaluate the environmental situation.

“Large-scale industry is both an advantage and a disadvantage for hromadas. It’s an advantage because enterprises pay taxes and contribute to the local budget. But there is also a downside — serious environmental harm. It is known that the Kalush hromada has problems with wastewater treatment facilities. The city and hromada authorities are aware of this and are working to address the issue,” explained Mykhailo Danyshchuk.

Sense of Safety

Over the past four years, despite the full-scale war in Ukraine, residents’ assessment of personal safety in the Kalush hromada has slightly improved. The percentage of those who chose “good” increased significantly — from 17% to 35%. The proportion of people who considered the level of personal safety “satisfactory” decreased by 10 percentage points (from 44% to 34%), while those who found it “unsatisfactory” dropped by 11 points (from 34% to 23%).

“In other studies that have assessed people’s sense of safety, I’ve also noticed this phenomenon: during wartime, subjective feelings of safety do not necessarily decline, because people rethink what safety means. Previously, residents might have been worried about people drinking alcohol or using drugs on the streets. Now they say, ‘Another city is being bombed daily, and nothing hits us — so we must be safe,’” explained Maryna Shpiker.

Business Climate in the Hromada

The Kalush hromada is known both in the Ivano-Frankivska oblast and across Ukraine as a place that offers favorable conditions for starting and running a business. Notably, after the full-scale invasion, about 40 large and small enterprises relocated to the hromada from frontline oblasts. All of them found their place in the hromada and a new impetus for development.

“In my opinion, no other hromada in the oblast can boast such business engagement figures as Kalush. The hromada is truly doing a lot to attract businesses and keep them. Major international business forums are held in Kalush, which foster local business growth and attract new investors,” said Mykhailo Danyshchuk.

At the same time, according to the sociological survey, only 2% of respondents rated the conditions for starting and doing business in the hromada as “excellent,” while 17% considered them good.

Mykhailo Danyshchuk suggested that respondents may have been thinking more about small businesses, which currently do not feel sufficiently supported — especially by the state. This view is also supported by Maryna Shpiker.

“The low rating of business conditions may not reflect the local business climate, but rather national policy. Much of what determines the conditions for starting and operating a business — taxation, regulations — is defined at the national level. Local efforts to support and attract businesses do make a difference, but they are not the full picture,” explained Maryna Shpiker.

Youth Orientation as a Core Value

When asked about the values of the Kalush hromada’s brand, respondents most frequently selected “youth orientation” as a value that should be preserved and supported.

“Looking at which values were selected by people of different ages, we see that even among those aged 40–50, ‘youth orientation’ ranked first. The same is true for people under 24 and those aged 25–39. Only among people over 60 did this value take a back seat to others — although even in that age group, one-third still selected ‘youth orientation.’ This shows that the hromada is truly embracing youth as a value and a driving force for the future,” emphasized Maryna Shpiker.

Strength Lies in the People

When asked an open-ended question about the strengths of their hromada — those things that set it apart from others in a positive way — 42% of respondents were unable to answer (29% said “hard to answer,” and 13% said “none”). Among the other responses, 17% of residents named the people themselves as the hromada’s strength.

“A large portion of respondents did not name a specific strength. The rest offered a wide range of answers, many of which received just 2%, 4%, or 7%. This may suggest that the Kalush hromada does not have one clearly defined theme around which a distinct brand identity can easily be built,” shared Mykhailo Danyshchuk.

Maryna Shpiker attributed the high number of uncertain responses to the open-ended nature of the question and the fact that, for many, it may have been the first time they were asked to reflect on it.

The survey also showed that nearly half (48%) of residents believe they have the ability to influence the hromada’s development. However, only 25% actively participate in local initiatives — indicating a need to increase civic engagement.

“The main factors influencing how people assess their ability to impact what happens in the hromada are, first, a psychological sense of helplessness; second, how open or closed the local authorities are perceived to be; and third, whether people know what the local government is doing and whether they are aware that people like them can participate in decision-making,” explained Maryna Shpiker.

“The fact that half the population of the Kalush hromada says they can influence what happens is a good sign. It means that at least half of respondents are part of an active civic core. The growth area here is expanding participation — giving residents more tools to get involved, such as public hearings, participatory budgeting, and so on — to help implement meaningful change,” said Mykhailo Danyshchuk.

What’s Next

In 2025, the Kalush hromada will continue implementing its new brand strategy. Plans include developing additional documents and improving existing policies and procedures. This year, an advocacy campaign will be launched to provide comprehensive support for the creation and development of veteran support spaces within the hromada.

In addition, this summer, representatives of all six hromadas participating in the Vidnova project (the Kolomyia, Kalush, and Tlumach hromadas in the Ivano-Frankivska oblast, and the Bashtanka, Bereznehuvate, and Halytsynove hromadas in the Mykolaivska oblast) will gather for an inter-oblast civic solutions hackathon.

This material and the sociological survey were prepared by the Legal Development Network in cooperation with the humanitarian organization People in Need and with funding from the Czech Development Agency. The views and interpretations presented herein are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the project’s donors or partners.

Infographics by Maryna Shpiker

Related Publications:

• Unmet Needs and Tension Points in Veteran Policy of the Kolomyia Hromada — Findings of the Sociological Survey

• Quality Healthcare, Development of Adequate Infrastructure, and Respect for Defenders — Priorities of Veteran Policy in the Tlumach Hromada

• Meeting the Needs and Requests of a Significant Part of the Population — the Main Challenge for the Veteran Policy of the Bashtanka Hromada

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