Danish Refugee Council (DRC) opened a new agricultural market in Rakove village, Mykolaiv Oblast. Funded by a UAH 4.46 million grant from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and implemented in cooperation with Voznesensk City Council, the project gives local families and small producers a dedicated space to sell their products closer to home and creates new opportunities to earn income within the community.
The initiative responds to a practical need raised by people living in Rakove and the neighbouring village of Novohryhorivka. Many families grow vegetables and fruit, raise animals or sell other locally produced goods. For some, this is an important source of additional income, especially as employment opportunities in the village remain limited.
Until now, people in Rakove had no dedicated place to sell their products. Regular travel to the city can be difficult, particularly for older people. Some residents sold produce directly from their homes or along the main road passing through the village.
The idea for the market emerged during a DRC programme supporting farming families in Rakove and Novohryhorivka. In 2024, people received cash assistance to purchase seeds, animal feed and other resources needed to maintain their livelihoods.
During the programme, residents repeatedly raised the need for a local trading space where they could sell surplus produce in suitable conditions. DRC discussed possible solutions with the Voznesensk City Council, which had also been exploring ways to address the issue. Consultations with residents confirmed a strong interest in creating an accessible and properly equipped market in the village.
Based on these discussions, the partners agreed to develop a pilot project for Rakove.
DRC works along the humanitarian development nexus, accompanying communities on their path to recovery ensuring joint project design and planning to ensure sustainability and relevance. The market in Rakove is one example of how sustained dialogue can lead to support shaped by local priorities.
Julian Zakrzewski, Country Director of DRC Ukraine
The new market includes four trading pavilions and four market rows. The pavilions have also been equipped with air conditioning to ensure suitable conditions for vendors and visitors.
The market will provide a more convenient and organised space for people to sell vegetables, fruit and other locally produced goods. It will make local trade more accessible for those who cannot regularly travel to larger towns and help families earn income within their own community.
The new market in Rakove is a practical example of how recovery starts at the local level. By creating a dedicated space for farmers and small producers to sell their goods, this project helps families strengthen their livelihoods and supports local economic activity. Denmark is proud to support initiatives that create economic opportunities for people affected by the war and contribute to the recovery and resilience of Mykolaiv Oblast.
Jakob Hansen, Head of Danish Embassy Office in Mykolaiv
Projects such as the new market in Rakove create practical opportunities for families to strengthen their livelihoods and support economic activity within their communities.
Across Mykolaiv Oblast, DRC works with local authorities and residents to identify needs and develop solutions that improve access to services, infrastructure and income-generating opportunities. This approach helps ensure that recovery efforts respond to the everyday needs of people affected by the war.
In Mykolaiv city and oblast, a cornerstone of the DRC’s portfolio is a programme funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This initiative drives community recovery by repairing critical infrastructure, boosting training and employment pathways within the reconstruction sector, and strengthening the capacity of local authorities and civil society organisations to deliver vital services.
