The second event within the "Open Football Lessons" project for children affected by war took place in Myrhorod, organized by the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF), the Poltava Football Association, and the Myrhorod community.

The football activities were opened by UAF's project coordinator Yevheniy Stolitenko, Vice President of the Poltava Football Association Volodymyr Oleksenko, and a representative from the education department of the Myrhorod City Council Yuriy Podriga.

Photo by UAF press service

Volunteers, who had previously undergone special training provided by the UAF, worked excellently. As for the main participants of the event, children from the following educational institutions in Myrhorod took part:

— Panas Mirnyi Lyceum No. 1 (teacher — Oleksandr Svintytskyi);

— Gymnasium No. 3 (Mykola Maliyev);

— "Lingvist" Lyceum No. 5 (Oleksandr Nazarenko);

— Taras Shevchenko Lyceum (Anatoliy Voloshko);

— Gymnasium No. 7 (Leonid Movchan);

— Ivan Zubkovskyi Lyceum No. 9 (Olena Mykolaenko).

Photo by UAF press service

It should be noted that the "Open Football Lessons" included components of psychological support and training on safe behavior during wartime and its aftermath — minimizing risks from explosive hazards, mines, emergencies, etc.

Local schools received a large amount of sports equipment and footballs for conducting football events; volunteers were equipped accordingly. Each child who participated in the event received a project T-shirt and a certificate of participation as a gift.

All activities within the project are conducted with the approval of regional military administrations.

Photo by UAF press service

The Ukrainian Association of Football, supported by Common Goal and the Cross-Cultural Projects Association (Denmark), continues the "Open Football Lessons" project, which includes:

— psychosocial support for children affected by war, children of military personnel, and those who have suffered from the conflict;

— uniting and friendship between IDP children and local children, social integration;

— an inclusive environment regardless of ability level or gender, as well as participation by children with special educational needs;

— knowledge about safety in wartime conditions;

— the philosophy of mass football — joy from playing rather than results at any cost;

— promoting a healthy lifestyle;

— developing volunteerism;

— activating local communities through cross-sector networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, security experts, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, sponsors, etc.).