Off the Beaten Path of the Shumsk Community

The “Off the Beaten Path of the Shumsk Community” video journal project is dedicated to showcasing the picturesque villages and boosting the community’s tourism appeal.

Partners: Shumsk City Council (Ternopil Oblast)

Implementation Period: May 2021 – October 2021

Project goal: To promote social cohesion and foster local identity among residents, increase civic engagement, and uncover the community’s tourism potential through a video series featuring 36 settlements of the Shumsk territorial community.

Project Impact

The “Off the Beaten Path of the Shumsk Community” project has a strategic importance for building a unique regional brand. For the first time, it comprehensively showcases the tourism and cultural potential of all 36 settlements through a modern digital video format.

By engaging residents in the search for local authenticity, the project strengthens community bonds and fosters a sense of pride, turning ordinary residents into active ambassadors for their hometowns.

The video journal not only boosts the visibility of the Shumsk region but also serves as a powerful tool for future tourism development. It is a successful example of how digital content can stimulate civic activity and lay the foundation for the sustainable development of rural areas.

Objectives

1. Engaging residents from all 36 settlements of the Shumsk territorial community in uncovering the region’s tourism potential and identifying the unique characteristics of each locality.
2. Developing skills in using civic participation mechanisms to address current community challenges and implement local initiatives.
3. Creating a unique information product — a video journal on YouTube consisting of 7 episodes that showcase the uniqueness and tourism potential of each settlement within the Shumsk territorial community.
4. Increasing awareness and enhancing a positive image of the Shumsk community within Ukraine, while establishing its unique territorial brand.

Results

• 18 journeys completed and 35 picturesque villages visited within the Shumsk Territorial Community.
• 7 video episodes created showcasing the villages of the Shumsk community in the Ternopil Oblast.

The ‘Off the Beaten Path of the Shumsk Community’ Video Journal project is implemented within the framework of the ‘Local Initiatives for Community Development’ project competition under the DOBRE Program, with the support of the Western Ukrainian Resource Center (WURC).