This year's season of festivals for the "Open Football Lessons" project has concluded in Kharkiv Oblast — for local children affected by the war.

The Ukrainian Football Association and the Kharkiv Oblast Football Association organized this social event for boys and girls from Pysochyn Lyceum.

With farewell words to the participants, Executive Director of HOAF Olena Korobka and regional coordinator of the project Olena Krivenco addressed them.

Photo by HOAF

The event itself was held in a sports hall with adherence to safety requirements and provision of appropriate instructions for participants in the case of an "Air Raid Warning."

Photo by HOAF

After a fun warm-up, children immersed themselves in the world of football, engaging in various relay races and ball handling exercises. At the end of the event, they all received project-branded t-shirts and certificates as participants of the festival. The educational institution received necessary sports equipment for future football lessons.

Photo by HOAF

“We continue to get children interested in football and care about their safety and psychological well-being,” noted Olena Krivenco.

Photo by HOAF

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

• psychosocial support for children of military personnel, IDPs, and war-affected children;
• unity and friendship between IDP children and local children, social integration;
• inclusive environment, participation regardless of ability level or gender, as well as the involvement of children with special educational needs;
• safety knowledge in wartime conditions;
• philosophy of mass football — joy from playing rather than results at any cost;
• cultivation of a healthy lifestyle;
• development of volunteering;
• activation of local communities through intersectoral networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, sponsors, etc.).

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