Serhii Svyrydenko moved his farm from Kostiantynivka to Volyn to save it from the war. He took 150 goats, a mini-tractor, and some of the cheese-making equipment with him. In his new location, the farmer had to find premises, land and staff, and set up operations from scratch.

For the community, the relocation of a business means not only the arrival of a new enterprise, but also changes in the lives of local residents. The farm’s story illustrates how the need to create conditions for a business to operate goes hand in hand with the need to listen to the people directly affected by this work.

Decentralisation published a video report by the editorial team of Svoi.City on the relocation of Serhii Svyrydenko’s farm. It was produced for the “Svoi in a New Place” project, which focuses on businesses and municipal institutions that have relocated from eastern Ukraine.

In the video, the farmer talks about settling into his new location and the difficulties he has faced. The video also touches on the complex issue of relations with local residents: some residents complain about the smell and feel they have not been adequately informed about the work of the farm.

For local governments, this story raises practical questions: how can the community help a relocated business find suitable operating conditions, and how can the business become part of local life without neglecting the needs and concerns of residents?