The war in Ukraine has not only caused loss of human life and material damage, but has also significantly worsened the environmental situation, while the emergence of new environmental risks remains poorly monitored. The country lacks a central state environmental monitoring system, with one of the few regional systems being that in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which, however, has been without funding for two years due to the war and is in danger of disappearing. This lack of monitoring capacity threatens the long-term sustainability of environmental protection in the region. 

The project "Strengthening the monitoring of environmental pollution in the Dnipropetrovsk region during the armed conflict", implemented by Arnika in cooperation with the Environmental Monitoring Centre (EMC) and experts from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute and Dekonta, aims to restore and strengthen the functionality of environmental monitoring in the region. The aim is to ensure the maintenance and calibration of existing monitoring stations, complete missing equipment and install new air monitoring stations in five municipalities. Furthermore, the professional capacity of the EMC team will be strengthened through workshops, methodological publications and training. The project also promotes cooperation with local municipalities and ensures public access to information through awareness raising and social media campaigns. It is expected that this monitoring will become the basis for the establishment of a national environmental protection system in Ukraine.