For Ukraine, which has become one of the most mine-affected countries in the world as a result of Russian military aggression, this issue is extremely relevant. With the aim of increasing awareness among children and youth, special events took place in several Ukrainian cities to conclude the implementation of the international project Spirit of Soccer in our country.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

The Spirit of Soccer project began its work in Ukraine in 2022 with support from the US Department of State, the Ukrainian Amateur Football Association, and the Ukrainian Football Association. Thanks to this initiative, nearly 60 coaches underwent training on the risks associated with explosive items and continue to implement the project's approach at their locations by conducting regular trainings where education and safety remain top priorities.

At present, the program has completed its active phase but continues to bring benefits and be implemented in our country. Over two years of implementing Spirit of Soccer in Ukraine, more than 40 thousand children and adults in the most affected regions received valuable knowledge and skills on safe behavior and awareness of war-related threats.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

This movement does not stop: the project continues to live and spread across Ukraine, bringing benefits and helping to form a culture of safety among the population.

Indeed, on International Mine Awareness Day, large-scale football festivals took place in several Ukrainian cities—Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, and Chernivtsi—uniting communities around sports and important safety knowledge.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

The Kharkiv hub of the Spirit of Soccer project organized a festival-training for pupils from Pysochyn community. From organizers, children received football balls and gifts. And coaches from Mykolaiv conducted lessons for students at SDYUSSHOR "Mykolaiv."

In Dnipro, the event took place on the "Olympic Reserves" stadium. Children participated in a series of sessions that combined football and training on the basics of safe behavior when encountering explosive items. In an interactive format, children learned how to properly react to suspicious findings, why even toys can be dangerous, and how to save their own lives and those around them.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

Identifying explosive threats was also taught in Kryvyi Rih—a special educational event for young football players took place at DYSKh No. 1 base. The combination of play, learning, and trust created an incredibly warm atmosphere, leaving children not only with bright emotions but also important knowledge.

In Chernihiv, the festival was held under difficult conditions: a "Air Raid Alert" signal interrupted work three times. Despite this, students from the oblast lyceum received crucial information on mine safety.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

The Chernivtsi team Spirit of Soccer held a festival for children, once again emphasizing the importance of safety. During the event, coaches explained the basic rules of safe behavior and motivated children to engage in sports.

The importance of this project cannot be overstated as it aims at saving the lives of children and adults. Thank you to the US Department of State for supporting this important initiative that continues to educate Ukrainians on safety through football.