In Ukraine, the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance continues to shape everyday life for millions of people. It affects the possibility of returning home, cultivating land, reaching schools and hospitals, rebuilding communities and imagining the future.
Against this backdrop, CESVI hosted the conference “SAFE STEPS: From Partnership to Recovery and Innovation in Humanitarian Mine Action” in Kyiv, bringing together around 60 representatives of national and international organisations, Ukrainian institutions, diplomatic missions and civil society organisations working in the field of humanitarian mine action.
The event, organised within the framework of CESVI’s SAFE STEPS project – implemented with MAG and UDA and supported by the Italian Cooperation –, was more than a space for technical discussion. It was an opportunity to strengthen a shared commitment: supporting Ukraine’s mine action community in protecting people, enabling safe return and contributing to long-term recovery.
An inclusive space for dialogue
Alongside the panel discussions, CESVI brought a human dimension to the event through two photo exhibitions.
The first, “Ordinary People with Extraordinary Strength: Kharkiv Region — The Return”, developed by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, told the stories of people rebuilding their lives and communities despite the consequences of war. The second exhibition displayed photographs taken by children and young people from frontline communities: images of resilience, daily life and hope, seen through the eyes of those living closest to the conflict.
Participants were also able to visit an interactive display of demining equipment and protective suits provided by project partners. A dedicated relaxation corner invited children and adults to colour illustrations from a mine risk education album, reminding everyone that prevention also starts with simple, accessible messages that can reach families and communities.
Localisation as partnership
The first panel, moderated by Sandra Dacosta from MAG, focused on one of the most important questions for the sector: what does meaningful localisation look like in practice?
Speakers including Eleanor Porritt, Country Director at FSD; Guy Rhodes, Senior Programme Policy Specialist at WFP; Ingrid Schøyen from the Embassy of Norway; Tymur Pistriuha, Chairman of the Board of UDA; and Volodymyr Baida, Director of the Humanitarian Demining Centre, underlined that localisation cannot be reduced to a transfer of responsibilities.
It is, above all, a relationship based on trust, mutual learning and shared decision-making. Ukrainian organisations are not simply implementers: they are strategic partners, with knowledge, experience and proximity to affected communities that are essential for effective humanitarian mine action.
The discussion also highlighted the need for multi-year funding, stronger institutional trust and genuine respect between international and national actors. In Ukraine, localisation is not a trend. It is a condition for sustainable recovery.
Demining as part of recovery
The second panel, moderated by Iryna Kustovska from UDA, explored the connection between mine action, recovery and reconstruction.
Speakers Yaroslav Mykhalonok from UN Women, Daryna Ivchenko from NGO Girls, Mykola Dydyk from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and Tiphaine Lucas from FAO stressed that demining cannot be seen as a separate step that comes before development. In many affected areas, it is already part of recovery itself.
Clearing and marking contaminated land means allowing farmers to return to their fields, children to move more safely, local services to restart and communities to rebuild. For this reason, mine action must be integrated into local recovery plans from the beginning.
The panel also underlined the importance of accountability mechanisms to ensure that resources reach communities directly, as well as the need to include social dimensions — such as gender inclusion and women’s participation — in every stage of mine action programming.
Ukraine as a reference point for humanitarian mine action
The third panel, moderated by CESVI Country Coordinator Josep Escoda, looked at the future of mine action in Ukraine and at the policy efforts needed to support the country’s response.
Tanya Kvitka, representing UNMAS and the Resident Coordinator’s Office, emphasised that technology can play an important role, but cannot replace investment in people, strong national systems and coherent policies. Dario Vecchi, Emergency Programme Coordinator at AICS, reaffirmed the commitment of the Italian Cooperation to supporting Ukraine. Edward Crowther, Mine Action Research and Development Specialist at UNDP, highlighted Ukraine’s growing role as a place of innovation and practical expertise for the global mine action community.
The message that emerged was one of cautious optimism. Ukraine is not only a country facing an immense mine contamination challenge. It is also becoming a reference point for people-centred, resilient and innovative humanitarian mine action.
A community moving forward
The conference brought together a wide range of actors involved in humanitarian mine action, including AICS, HALO Trust, MAG, UDA, WeWorld, WFP, UNMAS, UNDP, UN Women, FAO, FSD, INTERSOS, CHD, and diplomatic missions from Italy, Denmark, Japan, Germany, Norway and the European Union, among others.
For CESVI, the event marked both an important milestone and a new beginning. It created a space to recognise the strength of partnerships already built, while also looking ahead to the work still needed.
In Ukraine, every area made safer can open a path back to school, work, home and community life. Every cleared hectare is not only a technical achievement: it is a step towards recovery.
This is the meaning of SAFE STEPS: moving forward together, one safe step at a time.