In Dunaivtsi, located in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, an "Open Football Festival" took place at the local stadium "Kolos," organized with support from the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) and the Khmelnytskyi Oblast Association of Football. The event gave children the opportunity to showcase their skills, gain new knowledge, and experience true team spirit.

The festival brought together students from the Mynkovec, Ivanivtsi, and Golozubynets lyceums as well as the Mushkytynets, Zaliztsivskyi, and Zelenchenskyi gymnasiums.

Photo by HOAF

Honored guests at the event included the head of Kamianets-Podilskyi District Football Association and festival coordinator Mykola Kulyk; consultant for the Khmelnytskyi Oblast Department of Education, "Center for Professional Development of Pedagogical Workers" Natalia Chumak; deputy chairman of the Khmelnytskyi Oblast Football Association Mykola Kuznetsov; football players from FC "Epizentro" Yevgen Zaporozets, Vladyslav Supryha (U-20 World Champion) and Andriy Bezhnar along with team coach Oleh Naduda.

Photo by HOAF

At the festival, six locations were in operation:

— football mini-pitches for minimatcches and testing skills with obstacles;

— a safety corner run by DSNZS staff where students learned about behavior rules during wartime and generally in dangerous situations;

— a space with a psychologist who helped children develop teamwork, communication, and emotional resilience.

The event concluded with the solemn awarding of diplomas and sports equipment. Each child received an emblem signed by UAF President Andriy Shevchenko.

The festival provided children with new knowledge and a cheerful mood, becoming a bright example of unity and team spirit.

Photo by HOAF

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

• youth leadership in communities;
• psychosocial support for children of ZSU servicemen, IDPs, and war-affected children;
• unity and friendship among children of IDPs and local children, social integration;
• an inclusive environment where everyone participates, including children with special educational needs;
• knowledge about safety in wartime conditions;
• the philosophy of mass football — joy from the game instead of results at any cost;
• 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.).