On December 5, Kyiv hosted the third annual Demine Ukraine Forum 2025 — a key platform for discussing new approaches to humanitarian demining and the restoration of Ukrainian territories. The event brought together representatives of the government, international organizations, donor institutions, businesses, mine action operators, equipment manufacturers and innovators. The Forum was organized by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine together with the Humanitarian Demining Center, with the support of UNDP and funding from the governments of Norway and the Netherlands. The team of the Return to Life Charitable Foundation also joined the event to explore new partnership opportunities aimed at accelerating the clearance of mines and explosive remnants of war across Ukraine. The forum program included:✔️ presentations of modern technological solutions in the field of mine action;✔️ panel discussions with government officials, international partners and leading industry specialists;✔️ expert speeches on cooperation and financing models;✔️ discussions on solutions for effective and safe community recovery. 💬 “Our task is not just to take part in professional discussions but to turn them into real actions. Every step toward demining is a step toward life — toward people returning home and communities being restored. Demine Ukraine Forum 2025 became an important platform to summarize the year, define strategic directions and develop solutions that will accelerate the clearance of Ukrainian territories and make them safe for residents, farmers, and the country’s future development. We are grateful to all partners who share this vision with us,” emphasized the Foundation’s Director, Kateryna Skrypnikova. Humanitarian demining as an investment in Ukraine’s future!

n 2025, the Foundation’s specialists carried out 5,032 hectares of non-technical survey in the Kyiv and Mykolaiv regions. Based on the results of this work, 1,230.26 hectares were identified as SHA/CHA (suspected or confirmed hazardous areas). All non-technical survey services were provided by the Foundation completely free of charge. The survey results enable landowners to participate in the state compensation program for humanitarian demining, which provides farmers with reimbursement of up to 100% of demining service costs. Participation in the program is only possible if a non-technical survey has been conducted and contamination with explosive ordnance has been confirmed.

Areas of cooperation include:🔹 conducting non-technical and technical survey of territories;🔹 attracting international grants and financial support for community projects;🔹 preparing and implementing joint programs in the field of mine action;🔹 conducting training sessions, workshops, and practical training for specialists;🔹 exchanging experience and developing long-term partnership initiatives, among others. The Memorandum was signed by:— From the “Return to Life” Charitable Foundation: Director Kateryna Skrypnikova.— From the GRACE Foundation: Executive Director Olena Lypivska.

The sappers of the “Return to Life” Charity Foundation carried out a non-technical survey of territories in the Makariv and Hostomel communities of the Bucha district, Kyiv region.The work was conducted at the request of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, the Bucha District Military Administration, and the Makariv Village Council. A total area of 235 hectares was surveyed, of which 119.2 ha were classified as Suspected Hazardous Areas (SHA). During the assessment, the team identified likely contamination with cluster submunitions, fragments from Grad and Uragan multiple rocket launch systems, as well as evidence of mortar and artillery shelling—indicating a potential presence of other explosive remnants of war of Category II. 🌱 The “Return to Life” Charity Foundation continues its work in the field of humanitarian demining, aiming to enhance safety and support the restoration of normal life in the communities of the Kyiv region.