Potholes: A Proposal for Better Living conditions in Eastern Europe and Elsewhere

The Misconception

Within the last two years, I have officially made my trek to Ukraine and through 3 weeks of expenditure at my own cost, motivated to find answers and see the way that people live daily, I came across the realization that change can be made for the people who spend their lives with far less than most first-world citizens would ever think of.

With recent news headlines involving Ukraine and showing them first and foremost before anything else, it can appear as though life in Eastern Europe is one of struggle and depravity. It seems to be under a lot of misconceptions; mostly that it is filled with nothing but corruption, drinking, crime, run-down cities and so forth. Though there is some truth within all of what is listed, there is so much more beauty within the people, culture, and country that others can learn from.

There still are the obvious problems that should be addressed. Through what I’ve heard or what I’ve seen throughout my research and study in the Russian language and culture, as well as traveling to Ukraine-

What I saw is what I expected.

The Proposal

The people in Eastern Europe have far less than most of the American populace knows. The struggles that the Ukrainian people have endured against Putin and his Russian invaders, is leaving a weakened infrastructure across the nation, disorganizing local populations, families, and governments. However, the people of Ukraine have shown that they will not waiver under the brute forces of Russia, and have made a stand against the tyrannical ideologies of Putin and those carrying out his orders. The great, beautiful cities of Ukraine such as Kyiv, L’viv or Odessa, are now shown to be the targets of the advancing Russian forces, turning these historical cities into warzones of the century. Driving on the roads are shown to be near impossible, with the threat of armored convoys, aerial bombardments, and missile strikes hitting critical supply routes. There is an inability to have access to most of the towns due to the terrain by traditional means of transportation.

I had conversed with the locals in each city I have visited (Kyiv, Ternopil’, Chortkiv, L’viv, and others) and asked their perspectives of the way that they live. From what I’ve gathered, the older generation is upset at the corruption that has plagued Eastern Europe since the start of the Soviet Union. The older generation wants a change that will be impactful on their younger generation, as it is important to them that the health of Ukraine thrives. The younger generation has seen the way the older generation has accepted the past and wants to make a difference in their country, but the corruption that drives the country by oligarchs and business tycoons, as well as politicians, strip the people of the ability to cash in on the work that they provide.

By utilizing the resources of the State Department through my international institution and cross-culture program, I want to make connection with those who are familiar with the structure of NGO frameworks, and take advice from those working closely in community-based settings to gain knowledge about the operations of aiding and assisting communities on a micro and macro scale.It is a goal to create references for my ultimate plan of creating a higher growth in GDP and jobs. I have an initial strategy utilizing international corporations (i.e. McDonald’s, KFC, Subway, etc.) and other business from private and federal sectors to establish funds in the cities that they are operating in, and improve the infrastructure of the cities and outlying villages in exchange for free advertising using the work that they attribute to.

For example, the roads in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, etc. all have a terrible
road system that is neglected with potholes. Let’s say through negotiation, the corporations that already have establishments within a city create a separate manageable and secure account that goes directly into the infrastructure of the city, and they maintain a section of the city with the ability to use the work that they have created and improved, to advertise the business. Contracts formed, for a duration of time with the city, will hold that corporation liable to maintain a specific part of town, and the higher the traffic and views of advertisement per capita, would allow revenue to increase from the local outreach of the work. Such advertisements can even be shown in the potholes filled with a signified mark or logo of which indicates the company that does the work, and other infrastructure improvements. With the issues in Ukraine now, the ability to use corporations to assist in the rebuilding of it’s cities will be critical in aiding the reconstruction if proper avenues can be vetted.

This doesn’t stop at just potholes, but other contracted items that typically goes to the government for improvement. The opportunity for essential advertising no longer must be a part of the TV or billboard signs, which in turn can save millions of dollars with no local improvements. Ultimately the public will appreciate the work and return the business. For businesses that do not have enough money to compete with corporate giants, I concluded that the areas away from city center that are not as heavily trafficked still has the opportunity for potential, as smaller sections of the cities can be contracted out for their own
advertisements, or can even piggyback off of other major corporations to have “In collaboration With-“ on city advertisements with big names such as “McDonald’s” and others. Considering that since these global corporations are heavily regulated, the opportunity for corruption can be minimized since corporations must abide by specific laws and guidelines that corrupted governments cannot.

Through all of this; however, it is up to the people to want change. It starts with just an idea and a gathering of ideas together that change the way we motivate ourselves. I personally believe that the people of Eastern Europe want change, and it is a prime time to act on an economy that can go from nothing, to industrializing much to the similarity of the boom of economy due to corporations in America. The amount of jobs that can be created from the implementation of such ideas can greatly benefit the economy and its people.

The State Department, NGOs, Global organizations may pick up the pilot for the idea and may provide me with the opportunity to research this possibility. If it doesn’t succeed in creating a higher GDP and pushing corporations and politicians to reform current legislation, we may never see the potential of genuine mindset change. This doesn’t have to be limited to Eastern Europe, but perhaps countries, who too, want to change the power that unchecked officials hold. The lives of those who have been treated poorly by its government and subjected to years of hardship can finally change. Now is the time. The younger generation should stand it no more. Prosperity for the future should be the main goal, and a solution should be given. I’m willing to pursue this goal, are you?

Update:

Since 2020, Russia has continued to pursue its diabolical methods of threatening the sovereignty of Ukraine. Through my travels there, I never would have expected that throughout the country, Ukrainians, diplomats, expats, foreign fighters, Russians, Europeans, Central Asians and so many more people have been forced into the middle, squeezed the life out of and turned upside down in a days notice on February 24, 2022. Even now, the fighting has been prolific in the regions and spaces that once Ukrainians and Russians alike called home. I am seeing from my internship here at the State Department that America is doing all they can to monitor and prevent illegal pro-Russian activities, and to take care of all of those affected by this unfortunate circumstance.