Deadline: 23-Jan-2026
The World Food Programme (WFP) is inviting expressions of interest to identify national non-profit organizations to support mine action and agricultural land release in conflict-affected regions of Ukraine. The initiative focuses on restoring safe farmland, rebuilding livelihoods, and accelerating food production recovery in Kharkiv, Mykolayiv, and Kherson oblasts under WFP’s Ukraine Interim Country Strategic Plan 2025–2027.
Overview of the Opportunity
The World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a call for expressions of interest to identify potential cooperating partners for mine action and agricultural land release in Ukraine.
This initiative targets conflict-affected and recently de-occupied areas where explosive ordnance contamination prevents safe land use, agricultural recovery, and economic stability.
The call aims to strengthen national non-profit organizations and build a roster of partners to support WFP’s humanitarian mine action and livelihood recovery efforts.
Context: Mine Contamination and Agricultural Recovery in Ukraine
Ukraine is currently one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world. Large areas of agricultural land remain unsafe due to unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants of war.
Key impacts include:
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Millions of hectares of farmland unsafe for cultivation
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Delayed food production and market recovery
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Loss of livelihoods for rural households
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Prolonged economic disruption in frontline and de-occupied areas
The continued presence of explosive hazards directly undermines food security, rural incomes, and long-term recovery.
Integrated WFP–FAO Approach
Since 2023, WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have implemented a phased and integrated recovery model linking mine action with livelihood restoration.
This approach ensures that:
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Agricultural land release directly supports food production
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Mine clearance is followed immediately by livelihood and market recovery support
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Vulnerable farming communities regain safe access to land
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Economic recovery is accelerated in high-impact areas
The model connects humanitarian mine action with sustainable agricultural development.
Focus Areas and Activities
Selected cooperating partners are expected to support activities across the mine action and agricultural recovery continuum.
Key focus areas include:
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Mine action in agricultural contexts
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Release of contaminated farmland
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Training and technical capacity building
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Institutional capacity development of national NGOs
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Livelihood restoration for farming households
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Food production recovery
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Market access and market system recovery
Activities will prioritize high-impact agricultural zones in affected oblasts.
Geographic Coverage
The call focuses on three heavily affected regions:
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Kharkivska oblast
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Mykolayiv oblast
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Kherson oblast
These areas have experienced extensive contamination and are critical to Ukraine’s agricultural output and food security.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
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Be a national non-profit organization legally registered in Ukraine
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Have experience in humanitarian action, mine action support, agriculture, or livelihood recovery
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Demonstrate operational capacity in one or more targeted oblasts
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Be willing to engage in training, partnership development, and reporting
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Align with WFP’s localization and partnership principles
International organizations are not the primary target of this call. The focus is on strengthening national NGOs.
How the Expression of Interest Process Works
Step 1: Submission of Expression of Interest
Organizations submit an expression of interest outlining:
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Organizational background and legal status
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Relevant experience and technical capacity
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Geographic presence and access
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Proposed contribution to mine action and land release efforts
Step 2: Capacity and Relevance Assessment
WFP assesses submissions based on:
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Alignment with mine action and agricultural recovery objectives
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Organizational capacity and sustainability
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Potential for partnership under humanitarian mine action programming
Step 3: Establishment of a Partner Roster
Successful organizations are included in a roster of potential cooperating partners for future engagement.
Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee funding but enables eligibility for future WFP-supported activities.
Expected Results and Outcomes
The expected outcome of this call is the creation of a qualified partner roster to support WFP’s work under the Ukraine Interim Country Strategic Plan 2025–2027.
Key results include:
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Increased national capacity for humanitarian mine action
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Accelerated release of agricultural land
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Faster recovery of food production and markets
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Strengthened local ownership and sustainability
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Reduced vulnerability among farming communities
Why This Initiative Matters
This call supports both humanitarian response and long-term recovery in Ukraine.
It contributes to:
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Safe reuse of agricultural land
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Restoration of rural livelihoods
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Strengthening national institutions and NGOs
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Cost-efficient and sustainable mine action delivery
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Alignment with WFP’s localization agenda
Mine action linked to livelihoods ensures that land release translates into real economic and food security gains.
Common Challenges and Tips for Applicants
Applicants should be mindful of the following:
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Clearly demonstrate relevance to mine action or agricultural recovery
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Highlight local presence and community engagement
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Show willingness to participate in capacity development
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Avoid overgeneralized proposals without clear geographic focus
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Align activities with WFP–FAO integrated recovery principles
Strong submissions emphasize practical contribution and partnership readiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this call for expressions of interest?
The purpose is to identify and build a roster of national NGOs that can support WFP’s mine action and agricultural land release activities in Ukraine.
Is this a funding call?
No, this is not a direct funding call. It is a partner identification and capacity-building process.
Which regions are prioritized?
Kharkivska, Mykolayiv, and Kherson oblasts are the priority regions.
Who can apply?
National non-profit organizations legally registered in Ukraine with relevant experience.
What types of activities are involved?
Mine action support, land release, capacity building, livelihood restoration, food production recovery, and market recovery.
How does this align with WFP’s strategy?
The initiative supports WFP’s localization agenda and the Ukraine Interim Country Strategic Plan 2025–2027.
What happens after selection?
Selected organizations are added to a partner roster for potential future collaboration with WFP.
Conclusion
The WFP call for expressions of interest represents a critical step toward restoring safe agricultural land and livelihoods in mine-affected areas of Ukraine. By strengthening national non-profit organizations and linking mine action directly to food production recovery, the initiative supports sustainable, locally driven recovery and long-term food security in some of the country’s most affected regions.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
