Participation in Consultations of the Ministry of Economy: Hazardous Waste and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

By Dr. Olga Donets

On 12 January 2026, representatives of the Grassroots Institute NGO – Olha Donets and Sofiia Shutiak – took part in two online events organized by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, focusing on key issues of environmental policy, legislative reform, and Ukraine’s European integration commitments.

Public Consultations on Hazardous Waste Management

The first event was aimed at public consultations on hazardous waste management and the development of relevant state policy. Participants discussed key challenges related to the implementation of European Union standards in the field of hazardous waste management, including provisions of EU framework directives, as well as practical aspects of their application in wartime and post-war conditions.

Special attention was paid to:

• harmonization of national legislation with EU law;
• institutional and governance challenges in the field of hazardous waste management;
• allocation of responsibilities between state authorities, local self-government bodies, and economic operators;
• the role of civil society in monitoring, advocacy, and the development of balanced policy solutions.

For the Grassroots Institute, this topic is of particular importance given the significant risks posed by hazardous waste to the environment, public health, and environmental security, especially in the context of the consequences of armed aggression and the recovery of affected territories.

Online Discussion on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The second event focused on an online discussion of current issues related to the application of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure. The discussion addressed challenges in the practical implementation of EIA, ensuring transparency, and securing meaningful public participation in environmentally significant decision-making processes.

Key topics included:

• common shortcomings in the preparation and review of EIA reports;
• the need to improve the quality of environmental assessments;
• balancing economic development with environmental protection;
• the role of EIA in post-war recovery planning and the prevention of new environmental risks.

For our organization, EIA represents one of the key instruments of environmental democracy, ensuring the realization of the right to a safe environment, access to environmental information, and public participation in decision-making.

The Role of Civil Society Participation

For the Grassroots Institute, participation in public consultations and discussions organized by central executive authorities constitutes an essential part of our . We firmly believe that only through open dialogue between the state, the scientific community, business, and civil society can effective, fair, and environmentally responsible policies be developed.

The organization will continue to:

• monitor reforms in the fields of waste management and EIA;
• participate in consultation processes;
• develop expert recommendations and policy proposals;
• support the implementation of European standards of environmental governance in Ukraine.

💚 We remain committed to working towards environmental safety, transparent procedures, and the sustainable recovery of Ukraine.