Children from Chernihiv Oblast affected by the war have joined the social project "Open Football Lessons" through psycho-social football events.

These events were organized in Chernihiv at the "Youth" stadium by the Ukrainian Football Association, the Chernihiv Regional Football Association, and the Chernihiv Community.

Photo by ChROAF

Participants in the football festival included students from Ivankevsky, Anisivsky, and Kolychivsky lyceums. The regional coordinator of the project from ChROAF Anatoliy Svystun and instructor Tetiana Djuman together with the national coordinator from UFA Yevheniy Stolitenko involved local volunteers Oleksii Melnychenko, Rodion Tolkaichov, Olena Khomenko, Natalia Boguly, Oleksandr Prokopenko, and Bohdan Djuman in conducting the sessions.

Photo by ChROAF

It was important that "Open Football Lessons," besides the fun of football itself, included components of psychological support and training in 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 balls for conducting football events; volunteers were equipped, and each child who participated in the festival received a project t-shirt and a participant certificate as a gift.

Photo by ChROAF

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

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

— psycho-social support for children from occupied territories, children of military personnel, and those affected by war;

— uniting and friendship between children from occupied territories and local children, social integration;

— an inclusive environment where participants are included regardless of their level of ability, gender, as well as the participation of 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;

— fostering a healthy lifestyle;

— development of volunteering;

— activation of local communities through cross-sector networks (teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, youth leaders, local authorities, patrons, etc.).