Auctions for Demining Services Now Open
For the first time, the Humanitarian Demining Center has announced auctions to procure demining services for privately owned agricultural land. These clearance operations are funded under the budget program 'Humanitarian Demining.' The plots slated for cleanup are located in the Izium district of Kharkiv region. This initiative marks a significant step in helping Ukrainian farmers reclaim land contaminated by explosive remnants of war.
Over 100 applications have already been submitted by farmers and individual landowners, covering more than 25,000 hectares. The majority of these requests come from private households. Only agricultural producers whose land contamination has been confirmed by the Mine Action Center are eligible to participate in the auctions. Applications must be submitted exclusively through the State Agrarian Register. Importantly, the Humanitarian Demining Center—not the applicant—opens the accounts for receiving funds.
Auction Details
The demining auctions include the first two lots, both located in the Izium district. One lot is a 4-hectare plot near the village of Sulihivka, with an initial work cost of UAH 505,000. This area is contaminated with anti-vehicle mines, unexploded ordnance, and other explosive remnants. The second lot, near the village of Vovchyi Yar, covers 0.59 hectares, with a starting price of UAH 75,300. This site is polluted with anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines, cluster munition remnants, and other munitions.
The auction consists of three rounds and operates on a price-decreasing basis. The winner is the participant who offers the lowest price. According to the Ministry:
“The auction itself consists of three rounds and goes downward in price. The participant who offers the lowest price wins. Before signing the contract, they must confirm their capacity and the validity of their price proposal.”
The state program 'Humanitarian Demining' fully covers the costs of clearing agricultural land. It is crucial to note that auction participants must not be under sanctions from the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, must not have ultimate owners who are citizens of the aggressor state, and cannot be affiliated with the certified mine action operator with whom the contract is signed.
As a reminder, the Mine Action Capability Coalition for Ukraine has received an additional contribution of €2 million. This was announced during the coalition’s 20th meeting, held in Reykjavik, Iceland. In 2026, the coalition plans to allocate at least €165 million to provide Ukraine with equipment and machinery. Ihor Bezkaravainyi expressed hope that 'humanitarian demining operators will be actively interested in the opportunity to be the first to clear the lands of individual farmers under the program.'
This initiative represents a critical move toward rehabilitating agricultural land affected by hostilities. Clearing these areas will not only help revive the farming sector but also ensure safety for local residents, enabling them to return home and restore their livelihoods. Given the strong interest from farmers, active participation in the program is expected, underscoring the urgent need for demining and rural recovery.