Lack of funds or initiative? Why the development of Disna is under strict control of the regional executive committee

Indeed, the smallest town in Belarus is going through a difficult period. However, it cannot be said that Disna is deprived of attention. According to data provided by the District Council of Deputies, there are 29 organizations, institutions, branches, and sections, 12 private organizations, and 20 individual entrepreneurs for 1400 residents. Specialists are needed at the forestry enterprise, the "Vicyabchanka" workshop, and the linear production and dispatch station – a total of 18 vacancies.

In general, the development of this region is under strict control of the regional executive committee.

Under the improvement program, pothole repairs were carried out on seven streets last year and this year, new asphalt was laid on Telman Street, the kindergarten was renovated, the ferry crossing over the Western Dvina was repaired, all burial sites from the Great Patriotic War are in good condition, the city park has been tidied up, and 30 containers for separate waste collection have been installed. Planned work on housing stock repair and modernization of the heating network section has been completed. An ambulance was purchased for the nursing care hospital.

Even more significant investments in the town are planned for next year. In particular, the construction of a water supply and sewerage system for apartment buildings on Lenin Street and the LVDS settlement, the construction of a 9-apartment building, the repair of local social services, and the identification of objects for inclusion in the State List of Historical and Cultural Values are planned.

Today, the conversation is not about what the state has given and plans to give to the residents of Disna. It is more interesting what the city's residents themselves are capable of, whether they are ready to take advantage of existing preferences for the development of small and medium-sized businesses, to join forces, and to bring order to their common home. The answer to this question was expected to be heard at a seminar-training on the topic "Public Participation in the Development of the Sustainable Development Strategy of the Miory District," which was conducted in Disna by employees of the office for the implementation of the project "Together for Society and Nature: Strengthening the Development Process in the Miory District through the Partnership of Local Authorities and Civil Society." The fact that the topic is of concern was evident from the number of people who came for the training; the hall of the Center for Children and Youth was full.

Attendees were invited to determine what, in their opinion, would benefit all local residents. Divided into working groups, the residents of Disna identified the strengths and weaknesses of the city's development, what is needed for life to flourish in it, for streams of revenue to flow into the budget, which would then be reinvested in development. More than a dozen proposals were received during the brainstorming session.

Among the immediate tasks, the need to repair the building of the former treasury, to grant the local museum state status, the possibility of establishing a festival in Disna, and the restoration of the cannery were noted.

But where to get the money for their implementation?

The office employees aimed to teach attendees where to find it. Most were unaware of which platforms to search for information about announced support programs for Belarusian regions, how to write projects, prove their advantages and sustainability over others, and win grants.

-- We were not taught this, -- said my neighbor in the audience. -- Coming here, we hoped to receive a portion of the project's overall budget.

She was not the only one who thought so.

The residents of Disna asked for money to clean the cobblestone pavement overgrown with grass, for landscaping and flowers; the owner of an agro-estate complained that the local landmark, a 100-year-old bridge, was becoming overgrown with garbage.

Regarding these requests and claims, I would like to say one thing: Disna has experience in consolidating forces and resources. They managed to come together and tidy up the city park by the city holiday. If you think more needs to be done, keep going. It is shameful to ask the state or international funds for money to clean up the city and plant flowers.

For example, local entrepreneur Natalia Ostrovskaya, who opened a cafe in Disna, managed without them. She rented a room from a consumer cooperative and, together with her husband, decorated its interior. And how in demand it turned out to be among people!

Or another example. Entrepreneur Eduard Tereshko has been working for more than one year. He started his business during the first wave of perestroika, providing work for more than a dozen Disna residents. Before that, he was involved in military-patriotic education, honoring the memory of those who laid down their lives for the Motherland during the Great Patriotic War. He does not rest in his search for the names of those who still remain nameless.

-- The legislation is now so favorable for business that only the lazy do not take advantage of this opportunity, -- said Eduard Kazimirovich.

– If you want to cut hair, prepare firewood, bake bread – please do. Write an application and work. Disna is an untouched field in this regard.

The time for talk and waiting has long passed. If we want to live better, we need to take care of it ourselves.

As we can see, despite the disagreements, the residents of Disna have many sound ideas, many of which they can implement themselves with the help of the project office staff.

Regarding the plant, which a certain part of the local population misses, this issue requires in-depth study and justification of economic feasibility. The head of the canning sector, Department of Tobacco, Sugar, and Canning Industries of "Belgospishcheprom" Elena Andreeva analyzed the production of fruit and vegetable preserves in the country in the republican media. According to her assessment, the plant capacities allow for the production of about 650 million conventional cans (mub) of products per year, with a calculated domestic market demand of 575 mub. In 2018, 500 mub were produced, an 8% increase compared to the previous year, which amounts to almost 21 kg per inhabitant. Store shelves are stocked with various canned goods, but the consumer is not satisfied – they are looking for more modern products – fresh carrots, cabbage, solyanka with a shelf life of 3-5 days. Therefore, a plant can be built and immediately face the problem of product sales.

It seems that such meetings with the population are beneficial in terms of education, awaken initiative, and teach how to build and implement realistic plans. They provide, as is customary to say in such cases, a fishing rod. It remains to learn how to cast it and catch fish.

"Vitebskiye Vesti". Photos from open sources.