“We don’t wait for subsidies — we look for solutions”: How the Avangard Community Builds Its Own Economic Resilience

True resilience is born where local authorities learn to think like rational managers, look for hidden resources, and build partnerships that go far beyond their own district.

During a regular episode of the "Voice of the Community" program prepared by the Kharkiv Press Club and the Gromada Group network, the head of the Avangard Community, Serhiy Khrustovskyi, shared with host and journalist Oleksandr Shvets the practical experience of how a small territory can turn into one of the most powerful economic leaders in the region, even during the most difficult times.

This article details the practical economic strategies and municipal governance practices of the Avangard Community:

Budget Diversification: The community successfully transitioned from heavy reliance on a single major tax source (the "7th Kilometer" wholesale market, which previously generated up to 75% of revenues) to a diversified ecosystem featuring major retail giants ("Epicentr"), logistics hubs ("Imperial"), and service networks. Today, the market represents only about 8% of revenues.

Proactive Tax Monitoring: Instead of relying solely on national tax authorities, Avangard established its own 6-person tax monitoring department. Operating on an annual budget of 2.5 million UAH, the team generates 20 to 40 million UAH in additional annual revenue by uncovering shadow operations and unrecorded land use.

Horizontal Partnerships: Avangard actively collaborates with 15 partner communities across Ukraine to exchange practical administrative frameworks and economic strategies, organizing an annual inter-regional partner forum.

Governance & Term Limits: Drawing on nearly 16 years of executive experience, Serhiy Khrustovskyi advocates for a strict legal cap of maximum three terms for local mayors/heads to prevent stagnation and encourage fresh leadership.

Read more in the Ukrainian edition....