The RETURN project focuses on capacity-building and knowledge exchange with respect to environmental restoration of ecosystems in Ukraine that have sustained damage due to the war following the Russian invasion.
According to RETURN it is estimated that some 2.6 million hectares of forest have already been harmed, and that 20 percent of the country’s protected areas are threatened. Ukraine is trying to deal with the environmental damage, but the work is complicated, not least because of the presence of mines and unexploded munitions. The scale of the damage requires new or adopted methodologies, and chemical analyses, which is a problem in itself since there are few laboratories in Ukraine that can perform them.
The partners of the project will work together to identify areas in need of restoration, conduct a preliminary environmental assessment and develop tailored methodologies for how identified sites may be restored. Activities include discussions, testing of soils, biodiversity assessments and screening of chemicals. In addition, Ukrainian specialists will come to Sweden for a workshop on restoration methods, and SLU specialists will visit Ukraine to identify sites and refine methodologies.