Traditionally at the beginning of autumn in 17 regions of Ukraine, regional associations supporting the Ukrainian Football Association organize events within the framework of the psychosocial project "Open Football Festivals," where children from local communities and IDP children, besides a festive mood, also receive equipment for further sports activities.

In August, the UAF organized a special seminar for volunteer leaders from communities — participants of the 2025/2026 season project. Representatives of Berehove, Ivan Slyvka and Loran Goma, participated in the seminar from Zakarpattia Oblast. They selected their team of young local volunteers who prepared and conducted a report football festival.

Photo by ZAF

The event was attended by 72 boys and girls from Berehove and nearby villages (Velyka Bakta, Janosi, Gaty, Hut, Muzhyevo, Varyevyo, Velikiy and Nizhniy Remety), as well as young football players and volunteers.

It should be noted that many children who previously did not engage in sports were involved in the festival. Within the project, 24 boys and girls will now have the opportunity to train in football free of charge at a newly formed section. In spring, another festival will take place in Berehove, where an additional 72 children from the community will participate.

Local organizer Ivan Slyvka noted that today they managed to unite and bring together IDP children with their peers from Berehovshchyna through a beloved game. During the festival, the children received many positive impressions and new knowledge about mine safety rules and first aid, as well as, of course, took their first steps in football. The games with psychologist Myroslava Varodi were also positively impactful.

Photo by ZAF

The event traditionally began with ceremonies, during which the deputy mayor of Berehove city council Stepan Vince and head of Zakarpattia Football Association Ivan Duran greeted everyone. And member of the Executive Committee of ZAF, football expert Stepan Selmenyuk traditionally introduced the audience to the football history of the region for Zakarpattian football festivals. Lyudmila Ogareva, leader of the vocal group at Berehove Center of Extracurricular Education, performed the National Anthem of Ukraine a cappella. Military personnel who are undergoing rehabilitation on the local stadium were also present at the football festival.

The children enthusiastically and actively went through all six locations and received diplomas from UAF and sweet gifts from ZAF at the end, as well as enjoyed Zakarpattian bograch (a traditional oven) and sweets thanks to the support of local organizers.

Zakarpattia Football Association expresses gratitude for organizing another festival to local organizers and benefactors: Berehove City Council, entrepreneurs Yuri Knobloch, Sergiy Kozmei, Myron Hryts, charitable foundation "New Beginning" (Ihor and Oleksandr Matveyuk) and newly formed civic organization B.A.S.E. (Istvan Ban).

Photo by ZAF

Throughout autumn, as the weather allows, Zakarpattia Football Association will continue to bring joy through football festivals and organize them independently. Recently, the youth hub of ZAF in Kostyni held additional festivals for local children and guests from occupied territories.

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

• youth leadership in communities;
• psychosocial support for children of servicemen of the Armed Forces, IDP children, and children affected by war;
• uniting and friendship between IDP children and local children, social integration;
• an inclusive environment where everyone participates, including children with special educational needs;
• knowledge about safety in wartime conditions;
• philosophy of mass football — joy from the game instead of any price for results;
• cultivation of a healthy lifestyle;
• volunteer development;
• activation of local communities through cross-sector networks (youth leaders, teachers, coaches, psychologists, safety experts, parents, local authorities, benefactors, etc.).