Participation of Co-Director Dr. Tatyana Stefanovska, NULES, Ukraine in FAO Training on Health Assessment of Soil Affected by War

Co-Director, Assoc. Prof. Tatyana Stefanovska, NULES, Ukraine participated as a Group Leader in the Laboratory and Field Training – Health Assessment of Soils Affected by War, held in Belgium on March 17-28, 2025. The Training was organized as part of a collaborative effort between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Belgium Soil Laboratory Network (BESOLAN)—a consortium composed of VITO, SCK CEN, the Royal Military Academy (RMA), and TERRA – GxABt, University of Liège, all- Belgium.

During the Training, Dr. Stefanovska gained valuable knowledge and practical experience in soil sampling methods, field measurement techniques, and standard laboratory procedures for identifying and quantifying of trace elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and agrochemical parameters of the military contaminated and damaged soils.

While participating in the program, Dr. Stefanovska introduced the NATO SPS MYP G6094 in terms of project’s goals, methodologies, and progress in implementation. She engaged in productive discussions on potential future collaboration with the several prominent Belgian experts, including:

• Dr. Kristof Tirez, Senior Researcher and Project Leader, Inorganic Analytical Department, VITO – Flemish Reference Laboratory for Environmental Monitoring;
• Dr. Ilse Van Keer, Expert in Environmental Analysis and Soil Health, VITO – Flemish Institute for Technological Research;
• Prof. Gilles Colinet, Expert in Soil Science and Phytoremediation, Department of GxABT – Water-Soil-Plant Exchanges, TERRA Research Unit, University of Liège;
• Ms. Isabelle Rausin, Bioengineer, Head of International Relations and Coordinator of the IIS Valbowal Initiative, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège.

While participating in the Training, Assoc. Prof. Stefanovska engaged in discussions with Colonel Serhiy Savchuk, Head of the Department for Mine Action, Civil Protection, and Environmental Safety, Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, exploring the potential in collaboration during creation of HUB on Advanced M×g Phytotechnologies in Ukraine, planned for Mil4-6.