Ukrainian and Italian experience in debris management discussed at international conference
On 9 July 2026, the international conference “Debris Management: From Italy’s Post-Earthquake Experience to the Ukrainian Context” took place in Norcia, Italy, as part of the LIFE D2R project. The conference created a platform for sharing experience gained during post-earthquake reconstruction in Central Italy and exploring how these approaches could support Ukraine’s recovery.
The event brought together representatives of Italian public authorities, the Ukrainian municipalities of Irpin and Borodianka, researchers, technical experts, businesses and LIFE D2R consortium partners from Ukraine and Italy.
The conference was organised by LIFE D2R and hosted by GBC Italia and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (CCIPU), under the patronage of the Municipality of Norcia and the Umbria Region and in collaboration with the Umbria Chapter of GBC Italia.
Discussions focused on practical approaches to war-related debris management, material reuse and the integration of circular economy principles into reconstruction.
Italian experts shared their experience of post-earthquake reconstruction, including legislative frameworks for debris management, laboratory testing and certification of recovered materials, material traceability systems and the use of secondary raw materials in construction.
Participants also discussed the role of public policy, regulatory frameworks and economic mechanisms in creating the conditions needed for safe material reuse and the wider application of circular approaches to reconstruction. The discussions also highlighted the importance of cooperation between public authorities, researchers, businesses and local communities in developing effective debris management systems.
Representatives of Irpin and Borodianka Yaroslava Boyarkina, advisor to the mayor of Irpin on international cooperation and investment and chair of the volunteer council at the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, alongside Oleksandr Mykhailiuk, director of the municipal organization of the Borodyanka Village Council shared their experience in responding to the destruction caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They highlighted challenges related to debris removal, material sorting and processing, infrastructure development and access to specialised equipment.
The discussion demonstrated that effective debris management begins at the earliest stage of debris removal. Timely sorting, material assessment and quality control determine whether materials can be safely reused and significantly influence the efficiency and sustainability of the overall recovery process.
The participation of Ukrainian municipalities helped keep the discussion closely connected to the realities of affected communities. Their experience also highlighted the importance of adapting international approaches to Ukraine’s regulatory framework, available infrastructure, technical capacity and local needs.
The conference strengthened cooperation between Ukrainian and Italian partners and demonstrated the value of combining technical expertise, circular economy principles and practical municipal experience.
The exchange confirmed that international cooperation and knowledge sharing play an important role in developing practical debris management solutions to support Ukraine’s sustainable and resilient recovery.