Anastasiya

Anastasiya and her husband moved to an eco-village in Ukraine 12 years ago to grow their own food and promote organic agriculture. Over time, their community has expanded from just three families to eleven, all dedicated to sustainable living and permaculture practices. During the war, the eco-village network launched the Green Road of Eco Villages project, providing support for internally displaced people and assisting 3,000 individuals at the start of the conflict. Anastasiya now serves as the president of the Ukrainian Permaculture Society.

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Founded in 2012, Zeleni Kruchi (Green Hills) is located 140 km south of Kyiv in a scenic landscape of rolling hills, forests, medicinal herbs, and wildlife. The eco-village is home to 35 people, including 12 children, with 27 residents living there year-round. Organized by seven families in an inner circle, the community is committed to ecological living, health, and happiness, engaging in gardening, organic farming, and striving for food self-sufficiency.

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The village infrastructure includes personal wells, solar panels, a shop, a post office, fiber-optic internet, and a bus service to Kyiv and Bohuslav. It also has event facilities for up to 30 people, including a dome, gazebo, guest house, and communal land with gardens and crops. Future plans include building a common house and sauna. Members earn income through remote work, local jobs, hosting events, and selling products, while a part-time kindergarten serves the community. Since 2018, Zeleni Kruchi has been a member of GEN Ukraine, and in 2021, it joined GEN Europe.

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The Green Hills Regenerative Project is a 4-hectare plot within Zeleni Kruchi that the eco-village has been restoring for the past eight years with the help of city volunteers. As one of the last biodiverse plots amid conventional fields, it plays a crucial role in protecting local species, enhancing biodiversity, and preventing slope erosion. The project also captures CO2 through soil and organic matter, contributing to climate change mitigation. It cultivates fruit while offering garden therapy for war-affected individuals seeking rehabilitation.

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Using permaculture and biodynamic techniques such as mulching, chop-and-drop methods, aromatic plants, and biodynamic preparations, the project fosters a resilient ecosystem.

Website: zelenikruchi.in.ua
‍Facebook: facebook.com/zelenikruchi‍
Instagram: instagram.com/zelenikruchi