KYIV, 4 April 2026 – A new communication campaign – “Soul of Soil: Dishes from Demined Fields” – has launched in Kyiv ahead of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.  

Throughout April, twelve restaurants across the Ukrainian capital will serve unique dishes made with ingredients grown on land cleared of mines: flour, beetroot, oil, onions, carrots, and semolina. A portion of the proceeds will be donated via UNITED24 national fundraising platform to support humanitarian demining efforts.  

The 12 participating venues are: Italian Edition, Favourite Uncle, Mirali, Bao, Nam, Himalaya, Afternoon, Tisto Cafe & Bakery, Autostantsiya, Budynok Velykoho Dyva, Tisto Syr i Titka Bella, and Tarilka. 

The initiative was launched jointly by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, FAO, the Government of the Netherlands, and other partners. Its aim is to highlight humanitarian demining as the “zero stage” of Ukraine’s recovery and to showcase the true value of products grown on land made safe again. 

The “Soul of Soil” campaign kicked off on April 3 at Tarilka gastro-café in Kyiv. Participants joined a sourdough breadbaking masterclass, “Ave Bread,” led by the café’s chef, Denys Komarenko, using flour produced on demined land in Sumy Oblast. 

The event brought together representatives from the Ukrainian government, international organizations, embassies, business, and the media, along with influencers.  

Speaking at the event, Ihor Bezkharavainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, said: “Behind every product from a demined field is a story of resilience — of sappers who bring the land back to life step by step, and of farmers who return to work despite risks and ongoing shelling. These stories must be visible. Through this campaign, we aim not only to support demining but also to remind society that familiar products today embody courage, perseverance, and belief in Ukraine’s future.” 

Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, said that Ukraine’s progress in reclaiming its land from mines and explosive ordnance was proof that international cooperation saves lives and restores futures. “No single nation or institution can meet a challenge of this scale alone — but together, through shared expertise, united commitment, and sustained solidarity, we are turning potentially contaminated fields back into places where communities can live, work, and thrive again,” he said.  

Shakhnoza Muminova, Head of the FAO Office in Ukraine, emphasized the long-term commitment required to restore agricultural productivity in war-affected zones. “Mine action and land rehabilitation is a complex process that requires coordinated efforts from all partners,” Muminova said. “It is critically important that, once the land is cleared, that farmers are not left alone with the challenge of how to cultivate these fields again and what can be safely grown there. That is why we support farmers with resources and knowledge, and provide technical assistance. Because when bread grows again on land affected by war, it is not only about the harvest — it is about the return of life.” 

Background: 

Today, 133,300 square kilometres of Ukraine’s territory affected by the war remain potentially hazardous. Some 21,000 square kilometres are currently accessible for demining. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 40,700 square kilometres have already been returned to safe use. 

Media enquiries: 

Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications and Advocacy, UNDP in Ukraine; yuliia.samus@undp.org