Edvard Selanders Minnesfond

Capacity Building in Ukraine: A Swedish Collaboration for Mine Rescue Training

Ukraine, Nov 28-29, 2023

As part of a joint capacity-building effort in Ukraine, the Swedish company Disarmament Solutions organized a two-day training program for a team from the civil protection faculty of the Folk High School Vovchok (folkhögskola Vovchok), a Ukrainian non-governmental organization dedicated to training civilians, firefighters, rescuers and humanitarian deminers.

This “train-the-trainers” initiative aimed to prepare participants for rescue operations in mined areas, skills which are essential in war-affected communities, and serve as the starting point towards EORE operator training.

The training was generously funded through donations from Network Enabling System Partner, a Swedish consultancy company operating in tech, and the Edvard Selander Foundation, a Swedish fund established to support democracy in Ukraine by Marco and Britta Selander, parents of Edvard Selander who died defending Ukraine in 2022. Their philanthropic contributions not only facilitated the training but also underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in building resilient and educated communities.

The training sessions, conducted by licensed personnel from Disarmament Solutions, unfolded over the course of two days in late November 2023. The attendees, comprising educators from civil protection faculty of the Folk High School Vovchok, delved into a spectrum of mine rescue procedures crucial for the safety of both victims and rescuers. The curriculum spanned theoretical foundations, ensuring a baseline understanding of the threats and indications of landmines, risk management, and mine rescue equipment, alongside immersive practical exercises that simulated real-world rescue scenarios. This dual approach aimed to empower participants with the ability to apply acquired knowledge in their educational outreach programs.

It is a testament to the success of the program that participants completed the training with an expanded skill set, increased confidence and a deeper understanding of risk management vital to their mission. The ripple effect of this initiative is expected to resonate throughout the communities served by the Ukrainian NGO, as those trained work to build a nationwide civil defense volunteer movement and are already incorporating their new knowledge into training programs.

Disarmament Solutions together with the local Folk High School and the unwavering support from donors continue to exemplify the power of corporate-social partnerships in fostering positive change. This collaborative endeavor stands as a beacon of hope, showcasing the potential for private entities to contribute meaningfully to the capacity building in Ukraine through targeted, impactful initiatives