Project objective : To receive project proposals that can assist in the implementation of interventions on enhancing Ukraine’s capacity in managing hazardous waste, assessing risks and threats to human and environmental health from contaminated sites, and developing environmental standards for demining operations.

Project background : The war in Ukraine has caused significant destruction across its northern, eastern, and south-eastern regions, resulting in extensive debris accumulation and damages to industrial sites. More than 3000 incidents in hazardous facilities are reported as of January 2025, and more than 250,000 buildings are destructed as per an assessment in January 2024. With asbestos only recently banned by the Ukrainian government, it is expected to be widely present in debris from damaged buildings, with over 70% of residential and public building roofs containing asbestos-based materials. Beyond residential damage, Ukraine’s industrial and agricultural activities present substantial risks of environmental pollution, affecting air, water, and soil quality. The ongoing armed conflict has led to both new releases of hazardous substances and worsening pre-existing contamination. Common pollutants include oil and petroleum products, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, various metals, and specialty chemicals. Finally, around 138,503 km2 of land and 14,000 km2 of water were at risk of contamination by explosive remnants of war and landmines in Ukraine, making it one of the largest in the world since World War II. While demining operations present significant environmental risks, the country lacks comprehensive environmental standards for demining operations. The need for these standards is becoming increasingly urgent as demining operations scale up. Without proper environmental guidelines, demining activities can potentially cause substantial damage to soil, water resources, vegetation, and wildlife.

Project description : The project aims to enhance Ukraine’s capacity in addressing the environmental impacts of war arising for chemical pollutions and plan for a sustainable and green recovery. The project includes four separate components, described as follow: Component 1: Enhancing capacity for managing asbestos-containing debris The component aims to enhance Ukraine’s capacity for safe and effective management of asbestos-contaminated debris by adapting analytical standards, evaluating laboratory capabilities, determining optimal handling approaches, strengthening legal frameworks and increasing awareness. Under this component the project will develop technical guideline to manage the asbestos-contaminated debris in the immediate phase of a post-war recovery. The project will identify and adapt international asbestos testing standards, evaluate Ukrainian laboratory capabilities, and optimize debris management through site trials. A decision-making framework will be developed for local authorities. To enhance awareness, training materials will be created for government officials, contractors, and stakeholders, alongside workshops and an online platform for knowledge sharing. The project will also support legal framework development, assessing donor liability and providing policy recommendations to facilitate safer asbestos debris management. Expected deliverables include technical guidelines, laboratory capacity assessment, field trials documentation, training materials, and legal framework recommendations. Component 2: Training on asbestos management for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) This component aims to enhance the capacity of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) in managing asbestos-related hazards during emergency response operations. As the first responders to war-related destruction, SESU personnel frequently encounter damaged buildings containing asbestos, posing serious health risks. Strengthening their knowledge and skills in asbestos identification, risk assessment, and safe handling is essential for both their safety and broader public health protection. Under this component, the project will develop tailored training materials and integrate asbestos management principles into SESU’s existing emergency response training programs. The training will focus on practical asbestos hazard recognition, safe handling procedures, and appropriate protective measures. In addition, simplified field guides will be created for on-site reference, and a “train-the-trainers” approach will be introduced to ensure the sustainability of asbestos management education within SESU. Expected deliverables include training curricula, instructional materials, field guides, and a capacity-building program to support SESU trainers in disseminating best practices for asbestos safety. Component 3: Environmental assessment of industrial and agricultural sites in Kyiv Oblast (region) This component aims to assess environmental threats and risks to human and environment health arising from different war-impacted sites in Kyiv region. Under this component the project will map and evaluate the state of industrial and agricultural environmental contamination in the Kyiv Region of Ukraine. It will examine various site types, including historical industrial sites, legacy contamination, agricultural impact zones, and infrastructure-related pollution sources. By analyzing these areas, the project will identify key risks and their potential scale. The process will include data collection, field assessments, laboratory analysis, and risk evaluation. The findings will contribute to developing a risk model to guide future prioritization efforts and inform targeted site investigation and remediation strategies. Expected deliverables include environmental "hot spots" mapping, digital environment (environmental database, spatial mapping tools, web-based communication platforms) for the storge and retrieval of project information, priority sites for subsequent evaluation, and replicable template investigation methodologies / plans for future investigation. The component 3 is subject to the confirmation of funding from the donor. Component 4: Development of Environmental Standards for Demining Operations This component aims to establish comprehensive environmental standards for demining activities in Ukraine to mitigate potential environmental risks associated with explosive ordnance clearance. As demining operations expand across the country, the absence of standardized environmental guidelines poses risks to soil, water resources, vegetation, and biodiversity. Developing clear, practical, and enforceable environmental standards will ensure that mine clearance efforts are conducted in a sustainable manner. Under this component, the project will facilitate collaboration among key stakeholders, including government agencies, international demining organizations, environmental authorities, and research institutions. The initiative will focus on aligning demining practices with international environmental standards while addressing Ukraine’s specific ecological conditions and operational challenges. The project will develop technical guidelines covering soil protection, water contamination prevention, and biodiversity conservation in demining operations. Additionally, recommendations will be provided to integrate these standards into national policies and regulatory frameworks. Expected deliverables include technical guidelines for environmentally responsible demining, stakeholder coordination frameworks, and policy recommendations for incorporating environmental considerations into demining operations. Component 5: Soil and Water Sampling in Kakhovka Reservoir for potential health risk Assessment This component aims to undertake soil and water sampling in the Kakhovka Reservoir to assess potential risks posed by pollutants to human health and the environment. The desiccation of the reservoir following recent events raises concerns about the contamination of sediments, which could impact future agricultural use and water safety. Under this component, the project will conduct a systematic sampling and analysis of soil and water in the Kakhovka Reservoir. The assessment will focus on identifying pollutants, including heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides, and other hazardous substances that could pose health risks if mobilized into agricultural or drinking water supplies. The data collected will inform recommendations for managing and mitigating risks associated with the reservoir’s future use. Expected deliverables include detailed soil and water contamination analysis reports, risk assessment models for pollutant exposure, recommendations for agricultural land use and water safety, and policy guidance on mitigating environmental health risks in the region. The component 5 is subject to the confirmation of funding from the donor.

Project requirements : Proposals should demonstrate: • Proven expertise and experience in environmental monitoring, assessment, and management of contaminated sites; • Specialized knowledge in hazardous waste management, with a particular focus on asbestos; • Strong capacity to conduct field assessments and laboratory analyses • Expertise in developing training materials and facilitating stakeholder engagement • Experience in data management, including spatial mapping and the use of mapping technologies • A successful track record of completing projects in Ukraine, with documented results • Ability to undertake activities inside Ukraine • Established partnerships with Ukrainian NGOs and local authorities • A solid history of collaboration with the UN and/or other intergovernmental organizations • Proposals should be submitted in accordance with the application template provided, below. • Estimated budget and methodology should ensure a clear delineation for each component.

Detailed proposal document : https://bit.ly/42igxVh

Responsible officer : pier carlo sandei

implementation start date : 2 June, 2025

Implementation end date : 31 March, 2026

Submission deadline : 22 May, 2025

Notification date : 26 May, 2025