A football festival organized by the Ukrainian Football Association "Open Football Lessons" took place at the "Youth" stadium in Smila, Cherkasy region, with 72 students from general education schools participating.

The event within the framework of the project "Open Football Lessons" was held thanks to the Ukrainian Football Association and the Cherkasy Regional Football Association with support from the youth and sports department of the Smila City Council.

Photo by ChOAF

The event was opened by the deputy head of the Cherkasy Regional Football Association, Oleksandr Kochergin, and the head of the youth and sports department of the Smila City Council, Iryna Kasyan.

A volunteer for the project, Milena Karnaukh, organized an energetic and fun physical activity for children. At football locations, volunteers conducted interesting relay races, interactive games, and technical exercises; children also played a "fun" game of football. Additionally, there were master classes from employees of the State Emergency Service in Cherkasy region and a team of psychologists.

Photo by ChOAF

At the end of the festival, school teams received sports equipment, and employees of the State Emergency Service performed a bright performance.

"Children received many positive emotions, were able to find new friends, and got closer to a healthy lifestyle through football," — noted the leader of volunteers, head of the local youth football hub project Oleksandr Kolivay.

Photo by ChOAF

The Ukrainian Football Association and regional associations' project "Open Football Lessons," supported by the New Democracy Foundation (NDF), the Cross-Cultural Projects Association (CCPA) from Denmark, and UEFA is:

• psychosocial support for children of military personnel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, internally displaced persons' children, and war-affected children;
• uniting 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;
• volunteer development;
• 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.