“The Carpathian Change” is a joint initiative of regional military administrations and the Ukrainian Football Association, supported by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.

"The Carpathian Change" combines psychological support with sports and team activities. For many children from frontline regions, this is an opportunity to spend some time in safety, rest, make new friends, and regain a part of normal childhood.

Research shows that children who engage in sports and participate in group activities have a significantly lower stress level even during wartime. This is particularly important given the statistics: the emotional stress rate among Ukrainian children reached 37% in 2025, with the most vulnerable age group being 10-13 years old, where 40% of children showed increased emotional tension.

The scale of the project:

The program covers 13 regions, over 200 educators and more than 1700 children for a period of 28 days.

Already this June, special camps for children aged 9 to 12 will take place in the territories of Zakarpattia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi regions.

The Ukrainian Football Association will provide the football component of the project: coaches, sports equipment, and modern methodology.

The goal is to form a positive attitude towards group and team activities in children from frontline regions, as well as create a real alternative for emotional recovery through community life.

Within the framework of the presentation, the UAF and 13 regional military administrations signed a memorandum on participation in the project.

Photo: Dan Balashov

Andriy Shevchenko, President of the Ukrainian Football Association: "I would like to thank the President of Ukraine for supporting this project. Our country is now facing very serious challenges. One of them is to preserve our youth, including their health through sports. Now UAF is very pleased to join the 'Carpathian Change' project. Our involvement includes providing equipment and help with children's coaches who know how to work with such groups of children. We have experience organizing football camps for children from frontline regions. The Carpathian Change is a serious step in supporting the mental and physical health of Ukrainian children."
 

Viktor Mykyta, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine: "In the 'Carpathian Change' project, each day is clearly planned - how exactly children will engage in sports. In addition, there is a component for cultural development of children. And, of course, tourism elements are also included in this program. This has a very positive impact on stress resilience. Many children have only heard about our beautiful Carpathians, but now they will see them. So this is definitely the right direction and the joint work of UAF and regional military administrations will yield positive results."