The "Open Football Festivals" took place in Synelnykove, Dnipropetrovsk region, at the local Lyceum No. 7 within the framework of a project by the Ukrainian Football Association and the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Football Association.

Seventy-two children from kindergartens and younger classes of schools in the city and district participated in the event. The leader of volunteers, Oleksandr Rodzin, noted:
«It was precisely this festival in 2019 that our current young volunteers started their acquaintance with football. And today they are already implementing this project together with our experienced instructors».

Photo by AFD

After a general warm-up to the song «Good Evening, We Are from Ukraine», the children moved to the football field, which was divided into six sectors beforehand. Participants, organized into six groups of 12 children each, worked in rotation through these sectors.

Photo by AFD

In the first sector, three female police officers worked with the children explaining mine safety and traffic rules. In the second sector, under Xenia Balyuk's guidance, the children performed football exercises with ropes. The third sector was managed by Roman Domash — here they conducted exercises with cones and balls. In the fourth sector, Galyna Koval supervised as the children overcame obstacles on a football field. In the fifth sector, psychologist Natalia Lakhay supported the children along with her assistant. And in the sixth sector, under Vitaliy Volkov's guidance and refereeing, the children played football in 6x6 format.

Photo by AFD

After completing all the locations, the children received certificates of participation in the festival and valuable gifts.

The "Open Football Festivals" project by the Ukrainian Football Association is:

• youth leadership in communities;
• psychosocial support for children of Armed Forces of Ukraine servicemen, children of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and children affected by war;
• unity and friendship among IDP children and local children, social integration;
• an inclusive environment where everyone participates, including children with special educational needs;
• knowledge of safety in wartime conditions;
• philosophy of mass football — joy from playing rather than results at any cost;
• cultivation of a healthy lifestyle;
• volunteer development;
• activation of local communities through intersectoral networks (youth leaders, teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, local authorities, patrons, etc.).