On May 16–17, 2025, the TOURAL project hosted a Living Lab participatory workshop in Mykolaiv, dedicated to shaping the future of sustainable tourism in the Kutsurub Community. The event, titled “Tourism Development: Together towards a Sustainable Future for the Kutsurub Community”, was organized with the support of the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine and brought together local stakeholders, experts, and community representatives.
The workshop opened with a welcome speech by Ruslan Havryliuk, Head of the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine. TOURAL Project Manager Diana Krysinska introduced the project’s mission and methodology, setting the framework for two days of collaborative activities.
The first day, participants explored how the Kutsurub Community could look ten years from now, focusing on three priority areas identified through a preliminary survey:
- Improving transport connectivity
- Enhancing tourism infrastructure
- Developing skills in the tourism sector
Divided into working groups, participants brainstormed creative ideas and strategies for each area, guided by facilitators Diana Krysinska, Inna Tymchenko, and Ruslan Volchetskyi. The session, held at the Defenders’ Support Space “Faita,” provided a platform for community-driven visions of tourism growth.
The second day, Future Radars, focused on mapping concrete steps and responsibilities for implementing the identified priorities. Presentations were delivered on business creation, promotion, and grant opportunities by Ruslan Volchetskyi, and on brand development and social media strategies by Anna Kosmachova.
Participants also visited the ethno-homestead “Constellation of the Steppe,” where they were welcomed by the Yemelyantsev family and introduced to local traditions. A special highlight was a hands-on workshop on Tavrian painting led by artist Liubov Paraniuk, giving participants the chance to experience this unique regional art form. The day concluded at the Mykolaiv Central Library named after M. L. Kropyvnytskyi, where stakeholders agreed on the first steps for implementing their Living Lab results.
To further engage the community, a flashmob was launched with symbolic gifts reflecting regional identity, such as a tote bag, a mug inspired by the Dnipro-Bug estuary, and a handcrafted boat decorated with Tavrian painting.
The Mykolaiv Living Lab demonstrated TOURAL’s commitment to participatory governance and cultural heritage-based tourism. By empowering communities and fostering collaboration, it laid the groundwork for sustainable tourism pathways in the Kutsurub Community and beyond.
