In the Zboriv community of Ternopil region, at the city stadium "Kolos" and at the local youth hub, the Ukrainian Football Association jointly with the Ternopil Football Association held events within the framework of the project "Open Football Lessons."

Participants in the events included 72 students from Yarshivskyi Gymnasium, Olyivska School I-III stages, Zhabynska Gymnasium, Zarudianska Gymnasium, Mlivnytska Gymnasium, as well as children with special educational needs (23 students) from the Ternopil Rehabilitation Center.

Photo by AFT

The main conductor of the sports event was the head of the Committee for Children and Youth Football of AFT, Volodymyr Yasuchenya, who coordinated the event. Teams competed in six sectors: "Introduction," "Football - Technique," "Football Games," "Games to Develop General Skills," "Safety Square," and "Psychologist's Square."

Photo by AFT

With the help of balls, hoops, cones, sticks, jump ropes, and a rope, youth leaders and physical education teachers organized various fun games and relays during which young athletes had the opportunity to learn elements of football technique. Of particular interest to schoolchildren was the safety square, where employees of the State Emergency Service taught them rules for safe behavior in wartime through an interesting, educational game format.

At the end, participants received t-shirts with the project logo, diplomas, and balls.

Photo by AFT

It should be noted that within the framework of the project supported by the "New Democracy Foundation" (NDF) and the Cross-Cultural Projects Association (CCPA) from Denmark, youth hubs for psychosocial support for children affected by war were created in 18 regions of Ukraine through football activities. A network of young leaders who have undergone special training at UAF is focused on implementing their own volunteer football projects for children in their communities, including components of psychological support and mine safety.

Photo by AFT

The Ukrainian Football Association and regional associations' project "Open Football Lessons," supported by UEFA, is:

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

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