UNDP mine action training and yearly contracts: 40 veterans and women from military families began working in Kharkiv region

40 veterans, as well as women from the families of combatants, completed a training course on non-technical survey (NTS) and informing the population about the risks of explosive ordnance. The training lasted three weeks and combined theoretical preparation, practical field classes, safety procedural training, and working with digital tools. Within the project, after completing the training, all male and female participants received official employment in the state enterprise "Ukroboronservice" for a period of 12 months.

The training program is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine with the support of the governments of the Netherlands and Luxembourg, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, and the Mine Action Coordination Centre. The operational implementation of the project is provided by the state enterprise "Ukroboronservice".

Photo: Dmytro Yarish / UNDP in Ukraine

"We need many specialists for many years, and the veteran community, to my personal conviction, is a very cool reinforcement of the mine action direction. This is a huge volume of work in various directions — from informing the population to analyzing large data sets, demining, and neutralization. This is important work that allows us to make the land in communities safe and return it to productive use," commented Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravainyi.

The program graduates formed 10 teams that will work during the year in the communities of the Kharkiv region, helping to reduce risks for the civilian population.

Participation in the project became an opportunity for veterans not only to acquire a new profession but also to return to active civilian life and join a cause that has a direct impact on people's safety.

Photo: Dmytro Yarish / UNDP in Ukraine

Yuliia Kirillova, Deputy Minister for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, added: "State veteran policy — is not only post-service support but creating real opportunities for a dignified return to civilian life. Employment is one of the tools of a dignified return. That is why it is fundamentally important for us that training programs are immediately combined with official work and a clear perspective."

"The initiative to train humanitarian demining specialists is an example of how, in partnership with UNDP, international donors, and other state bodies, we are creating jobs for veterans and family members of military personnel while enhancing community security and restoring the country," she noted.

"Supporting veterans is one of the priorities of UNDP in Ukraine, and it is important for us that it means not just assistance, but creating real opportunities. This program combines employment for veterans with work that is of critical importance to the country — humanitarian demining and increasing community safety," emphasized UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Jaco Cilliers.

Photo: Oleksii Ushakov / UNDP in Ukraine

The Kharkiv region is the project's pilot region due to one of the highest levels of explosive ordnance contamination in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 430 people have suffered from them in the region, which is more than 30% of the total number across Ukraine.

"For the Kharkiv region, humanitarian demining work has a direct impact on the daily lives of communities and the ability of people to live and work safely. Thanks to the project, veterans have the opportunity to not only get a new profession but also return to active civilian life and join a critically important cause," stressed Deputy Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Yevhen Ivanov.