Global Soil Partnership

Ukrainian experts receive hands-on training on soil and groundwater pollution in Belgium

PHOTOGALLERY

Belgium recently hosted a two-week intensive training on soil and groundwater pollution, a key step in an ambitious international effort to restore Ukraine’s military-affected farmland. Running from November 26 to December 6, 2024, the project "Restoring Livelihoods and Revitalizing Rural Communities Affected by Mines and Explosive Remnants of War in Ukraine" is part of a four-year initiative led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), with funding from Canada.

04/02/2025

With Ukraine’s agricultural land affected by the presence of mines and explosive remnants, the project focuses on mapping contaminated farmland, assessing soil health, and supporting rural communities in reducing pollution risks. Experts are working to determine priority areas for mine clearance and provide technical guidance on rehabilitating damaged soils. This initiative also aims to help Ukrainian farmers reclaim their land safely and restore food production in one of the world’s most vital agricultural regions.

Implemented by FAO through its Global Soil Partnership (GSP), 25 Ukrainian experts selected by FAO country office in Ukraine, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine are being trained. The selection considered educational level, soil science knowledge, and the trainee's current or engagement with soils impacted by military activities. In November 2024, the first group of 11 Ukrainian experts underwent training designed to equip them with the skills and methods for identifying, assessing, measuring, and mitigating soil pollution resulting from military activities. The remaining 14 trainees are set to attend the training in March 2025.

The training built on theoretical course completed in November 2024. The in-person training in Belgium provided Ukrainian stakeholders, such as laboratory heads and technicians, soil scientists, field officers, military staff, and environmental assessors, with hands-on experience in soil sampling, pollution detection, and mitigation strategies. The training programme was developed in collaboration with the International Network on Soil Pollution (INSOP) and the Belgian Soil Laboratory Network (BESOLAN), led by the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), with participation from the Belgian Royal Military Academy, the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), and the University of Liège.

Training highlights

The training took place at various locations, including VITO and SCK CEN facilities in Mol, the Belgian Royal Military Academy in Brussels, and the University of Liège campus in Gembloux. The curriculum covered essential topics such as:

  • The fundamentals of soil and groundwater pollution assessment;
  • Advanced analytical techniques, including inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP OES), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for measuring organic and inorganic contaminants, and liquid scintillation counting (LSC) for detecting radionuclides such as strontium 90 (Sr90) and caesium 137 (Cs137);
  • Safe and effective soil and groundwater sampling methodologies; and
  • Laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) for assessing soil health.

A step toward soil restoration in conflict affected areas

Given the extensive damage caused by explosive remnants of war, landmines, unexploded ordnances (UXOs), and trace elements in agricultural areas, equipping national experts with technical expertise to monitor, analyse, and mitigate soil pollution is crucial for ensuring long term agricultural resilience and food security.

The training provided an invaluable platform for knowledge exchange and technical collaboration, strengthening the links between FAO, the GSP, and leading Belgian research institutions. The participation of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and various national soil institutions and laboratories from Kyiv, Odesa, Lutsk, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv, as well as national environmental protection agencies (EPA), enhanced networking opportunities in Ukraine and expanded partnership within the GSP.

Global relevance and future steps

Looking ahead, the remaining 14 Ukrainian participants will complete the same training in March 2025. Feedback collected from the first group of trainees will be used to refine and expand the curriculum, including potential modules on gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC MS) and the use of portable analytical devices such as X ray fluorescence (XRF). Efforts will also continue to engage Belgian research institutions and European academic networks in strengthening international collaboration on soil health.

FAO remains committed to restoring agricultural areas affected by military activities, ensuring that affected communities have the tools and knowledge to rebuild their livelihoods in a safe and sustainable manner. By training national experts and fostering international cooperation, FAO is laying the foundation for long term resilience in Ukraine and other conflict affected nations facing similar military-related soil pollution challenges.

Therefore, to extend knowledge-sharing, the GSP has made recorded training sessions available on its YouTube channel, broadening access to soil and groundwater pollution assessment methodologies. You can watch these training sessions through the following link:

https://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/insop/trainingonsoilpollution

The video is the first of 18 modules in the training, covering the basic principles of soil and groundwater pollution, designed to provide participants with essential knowledge for effective management and remediation.