"Open Football Festivals" in Ternopil Oblast

At the lyceum in the village of Hadynkivtsi, Kopychintska community, Ternopil region, a nationwide "Open Football Festival" took place, gathering children from various settlements of the community.

"Open Football Festivals" in Ternopil Oblast

The event became not only a sports festival but also an opportunity for children to communicate, find new friends, learn teamwork, and gain memorable experiences.

A special feature of the festival was football activities in a "six squares" format and a sweet cup for participants. The official opening ceremony included Taras Yurik, head of the Football Association of Ternopil Oblast, Vasyl Zatorskyi, first deputy head and executive director of AFT, Stepan Vasylyshyn, head of the humanitarian department of Kopchynets City Council, and Oksana Dyachok, principal of Gadynkivtsi Lyceum.

During the event, children were entertained by volunteers and fairy tale characters. A pleasant surprise for participants was sweet gifts and a thematic cake.

The festival was implemented within the project of the Ukrainian Football Association under the donor program "Restoration and Resilience Under Youth Leadership in Ukraine" supported by the Association of Cross-Cultural Projects and organization CISU ("Civil Society for Development") from Denmark.

The Ukrainian Football Association project "Open Football Festivals" is: 

— youth leadership and development of volunteering in communities; 

— psychosocial support for children of military servicemen in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, children of internally displaced persons, and children affected by war; 

— an inclusive environment where everyone participates regardless of abilities and gender, including children with special educational needs; 

— knowledge of safety in wartime; 

— the philosophy of mass football — joy from playing rather than results at any cost; 

— the first football experience for children.