Detection and documentation of violations: The State Ecological Inspectorate, with the support of the OSCE, carried out a significant initiative.

The OSCE Support Program for Ukraine, in collaboration with the State Environmental Inspectorate of Ukraine, conducted a seminar-training for the second consecutive year focused on identifying and documenting violations of environmental legislation. This training was attended by a group of 22 candidates for public inspectors (8 women and 14 men) hailing from six regions of the country: Volyn, Transcarpathia, Zhytomyr, Rivne, Lviv, and Cherkasy.

During the event, which took place on October 14-15 in the village of Polyana, Transcarpathian region, environmental activists and volunteers had the opportunity to learn about the theoretical aspects of identifying and documenting harm caused to the environment, as well as the rules and requirements for documenting such violations and the legal framework for the work of public inspectors.

Additionally, a simulation practical exercise was conducted to assess a site of illegal logging in a mountainous area, followed by the opportunity to document violations in accordance with Ukrainian legislation. Future public inspectors noted that such events are particularly relevant at this time, as environmental crimes are occurring in Ukraine on a daily basis.

Participants emphasized that the theoretical knowledge and practical skills, along with real case examples from experienced state inspectors and speakers, would be beneficial in their efforts to identify and document violations of environmental legislation in their own communities.

Participants were also provided with a guide containing methodological recommendations for the work of public inspectors, developed by the OSCE Support Program for Ukraine last year.