The Koziatyn Interregional Higher Educational Institution of Railway Transport sports stadium welcomed 72 first-class students. The event was organized by the Vinnytsia Oblast Football Association in cooperation with the Koziatyn City Council. The goal of the project is to unite children, give them a sense of security and satisfaction from socializing and playing football.

Photo by VOAF

"Due to the war, we decided that this event would be aimed at supporting children, as they are our future. During such lessons, children gather and learn behavior rules in life in general and on the sports field in particular," emphasized Igor Gatullin, head of the Vinnytsia OAF.

"The main task of the project is to protect and provide psychological support to children," noted Pavlo Formanyuk, sports director of the Vinnytsia OAF and local youth football hub manager.

After the ceremonial part, 72 children came onto the field — all in exclusive football shirts and baseball caps. They were greeted by teachers and volunteers who helped organize the football event.

Photo by VOAF

The children were divided into six teams based on the number of sectors, which they had to walk around in turn.

At each station, volunteers and coaches awaited them. They shared secrets of the game, introduced exercises for accuracy and quick thinking, organized competitions, various games, and contests. As they traveled across the football field, children also encountered two unusual sectors — a psychologist and police officers and members of the State Emergency Service (SES). The first invited participants to take part in psychological games and discussions, while police officers and SES staff talked about how to behave during wartime and its aftermath — minimizing risks from explosive hazards, mines, emergencies, etc.

Photo by VOAF

At the police and SES station, Ivan Obernyak, Oleksandr Chernyhevykh, Yana Korbut, and others worked.

After the event's conclusion, young participants were greeted with pleasant surprises. Each child received a football shirt, baseball cap, and participation diploma, as well as sweet prizes.

Photo by VOAF

The Ukrainian Football Association's and regional associations' "Open Football Lessons" project, supported by the New Democracy Foundation (NDF), Denmark's Cross-Cultural Projects Association (CCPA), and UEFA, is:

• psychosocial support for children of military personnel, internally displaced persons (IDPs) children, and war-affected children;
• uniting and friendship between IDP children and local children, social integration;
• inclusive environment, participation regardless of ability level, gender, as well as inclusion of children with special educational needs;
• safety knowledge in wartime conditions;
• philosophy of mass football — joy from playing instead of results at any cost;
• nurturing a healthy lifestyle;
• volunteer development;
• local community activation through cross-sector networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons, etc.).

All project events are held in regions with the approval of oblast military administrations.