"A Ball for All" is a two-year international project involving partners from Greece, Turkey, Spain, and Ukraine. Its goal is to promote the development of football among children with visual impairments, ensure their participation alongside other students in football events, and foster empathy while making sports accessible to everyone — regardless of abilities or physical characteristics.

Photo ORAMA NEON — YOUTHORAMA

In May of this year, the first meeting of project partners took place in the city of Thessaloniki (Greece). On behalf of the UAF, Social and Environmental Sustainability Department Development Football Manager Irina Makarevich participated. During the meeting, they discussed the implementation process of the initiative and also attended an event organized by the Greek civic organization ORAMA NEON — YOUTHORAMA. Over 100 children along with their parents were invited to the event.

A special moment was a motivating speech given by 12-year-old Lucia — a blind girl who became an ambassador of the initiative.

"You cannot give up. Grab life and control it right now! Be optimistic and be ready to act," she said.

Photo ORAMA NEON — YOUTHORAMA

Lucia received her first football ball, specially designed for blind children, when she was in the first grade. She is curious, actively learns, fluently speaks English, studies two more languages, plays music, travels, and participates in football events. Her example proves that children with visual impairments can be full participants in social and sports life.

Photo ORAMA NEON — YOUTHORAMA

This year, the UAF will select mentors who will undergo special training under the partner program and organize football events in schools where children with visual impairments study. These events aim to unite all children, regardless of physical abilities, around the idea of equality, inclusion, and mutual understanding.

Photo ORAMA NEON — YOUTHORAMA

The project is being implemented within the framework of the EU Erasmus+ program according to a grant agreement (project 101184550 — A Ball for All) between the European Education, Culture, Audiovisual and Youth Executive Agency and the project coordinator, NGO ORAMA NEON — YOUTHORAMA (Thessaloniki, Greece), as well as partners:

— Universitat de les Illes Balears (Palma de Mallorca, Spain);

— ENGELLI EGITIM KULTUR SAGLIK SPOR VAKFI Foundation for People with Disabilities (Antalya, Turkey);

— civic association "Ukrainian Football Association" (Kyiv, Ukraine).

The project is funded by the support of the European Commission. This publication reflects only the views of the author and the commission does not take responsibility for any use of information contained in it.