As we welcome 2026, Cross Cultures reflects on a year marked by strong contrasts – a year shaped by ongoing conflicts, but also by resilience and meaningful social change.
On one hand, we have in 2025 witnessed an escalation of conflict in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as continued instability in South Sudan and Nigeria, where many of our partners operate. At the same time, significant cuts to humanitarian and development aid have affected some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
On the other hand, we have seen a growing need for – and engagement in – Cross Cultures’s activities in precisely these contexts.
In the midst of this, Cross Cultures and our partners have continued our work thanks to the support of our members and donors, enabling children and young people to find safe spaces, trusted adults, and opportunities for joy, even in difficult circumstances.
Below is a snapshot of how Cross Cultures has made a direct difference throughout the year. While final figures are still being consolidated, the preliminary results already tell a powerful story:
Key highlights from 2025
Ukraine
Since the start of the war, millions of children and young people in Ukraine have grown up in a daily reality marked by insecurity, isolation, and fragmented communities. At the same time, many young people express a strong desire to contribute actively to their country’s future, even during wartime.
Recent figures show that 72% of young people want to take part in Ukraine’s recovery, yet only 1% are actually involved. This gap points to a critical challenge: young people have the motivation, but lack structured opportunities and platforms where they can engage meaningfully and remain connected to their communities.
Our partner, the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF), has also highlighted a worrying new
development. Since October, approximately 100,000 young men aged 18–22 have emigrated from Ukraine. This underlines the urgent need to create meaningful opportunities for young people who want, or are considering, staying and contributing locally.
In response, Cross Cultures and UAF work to equip young people with tools, skills, and platforms that allow them to play an active role in rebuilding their communities. In 2025, this led to the launch of a new CISU-funded programme running until the end of 2028. Through safe, community-based activities, war-affected children gain access to stable spaces offering psychosocial support and a sense of normality in an uncertain everyday life.
Already in its first year, the programme trained 100 young volunteers, who are
now working together to rebuild community and support vulnerable children in their local areas.
According to our partner, this work is more important than ever if Ukraine is to retain and mobilise its young generation in a time of crisis.
Moldova
In Moldova, Cross Cultures’ work rests on two closely connected pillars aimed at strengthening local communities through sport, cross-sector collaboration, and prevention, running until the end of 2028.
The first pillar builds on Open Fun Football Schools as a platform for establishing local cooperation structures, bringing together coaches, schools, social services, and the newly established community police around Children’s Welfare. So far, the results have been very positive with over 140 police, school teachers and social services playing joyful games with local children in 2025.
The second pillar focuses on social prevention and cross-sector collaboration beyond the football field. Together with local partners AJPP and AVE Copiii, the project works to strengthen child protection and crime prevention by embedding collaboration in broader local structures.
In 2025, years of joint effort paid off when school mediation materials developed with our partners were formally approved by the Ministry of Education – an important step towards more child-centred prevention within the national school system.
During the year, AVE Copiii also visited Cross Cultures in Copenhagen for a study visit,
exchanging experiences with Danish partners and exploring new approaches to child protection and youth engagement.
Nigeria
In Nigeria, Cross Cultures implemented our OFFS-programme in five regions: Abuja, Kaduna, Bauchi, Benue, and Anambra.
In June 2025, Cross Cultures visited Nigeria to deliver a seminar that confirmed both the difficult and highly conflict-affected context, and the strong commitment of local youth leaders.
Despite these conditions, young leaders continue to deliver impressive efforts, organising activities under highly uncertain circumstances. In the midst of difficult surroundings, activities are filled with dancing, singing, play, and football – colourful, energetic, and very much in line with the spirit of fun football.
South Sudan
South Sudan proved to be Cross Cultures’ most demanding programme context in 2025.
The sudden halt of development assistance under the Trump administration led to an overnight loss of approximately 60% of international aid.
As a result, many NGOs, UN agencies, and embassies closed their operations, creating widespread instability. At the same time, the government initiated large-scale demilitarisation
efforts targeting armed groups, particularly in Unity State, Upper Nile State, and Jonglei State – all areas where Cross Cultures atre active.
Despite these conditions, and in cooperation with the dutch KNVB and local partners – the South Sudan Football Association and Global Aim – a strong Open Fun Football Schools programme was carried out. Local teams have shown a remarkable ability to mobilise children and parents across conflict lines in 2025.
In some cases, just days after fighting has subsided, they organise OFFS festivals, games, football schools, parent meetings, and dialogue activities. Authorities and parents describe OFFS as “the first place where people meet again after the fighting,” underlining the programme’s role as a space for reconnection and recovery.
Western Balkans
In the Western Balkans, Cross Cultures continued its work to challenge barriers facing girls’ participation in sport. Through Menstrual Awareness and Breast Health workshops, long-standing taboos that often push girls out of activities were addressed directly, helping more girls stay engaged and confident. At the same time, international learning exchanges – including a study visit to the Netherlands with Adidas – provided new perspectives, inspiration, and practical ideas that partners and volunteers are now bringing
back into their local work.
Thank You for Your Support
None of this would have been possible without our members and donors who have made a
tangible difference for children, young people and communities in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
We hope you will continue to support Cross Cultures as we move forward together – responding to crises, strengthening local communities and creating lasting change.
We look forward to all that we can achieve together in the year to come!
