Supporting Ukrainian Children Through Fun Football Amidst War

Supporting Ukrainian Children Through Fun Football Amidst War

At Cross Cultures Project Association (CCPA), we believe in the power of sport to connect and support children, even in difficult times. Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, our commitment to helping children continues through the “Youth, Volunteerism, and Resilience in Ukraine” project. This initiative is led by the All-Ukrainian Foundation for Children Rights (AUFCR) in partnership with the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF), with support from the New Democracy Fund (Denmark) and CCPA.

Our activities focus on organizing Open Fun Football Schools—football festivals that provide children with a safe space to play and receive psychosocial support. These events offer more than just football. They help children connect with others and experience positive moments during a very challenging period.

In 18 regions across western, northern, and central Ukraine—includingChernivtsi (West), Ivano-Frankivsk (West), Khmelnytskyi (West), Lviv (West), Rivne (West), Ternopil (West), Vinnytsia (West), Zakarpattia (West), Volyn (Northwest), Zhytomyr (Northwest), Odesa (Southwest), Cherkasy (Central), Kirovohrad (Central), Poltava (Central), Kyiv (North-central), Chernihiv (Northeast), Sumy (Northeast), Dnipropetrovsk (Southeast). The targeted regions are considered relatively stable, but the situation differs, with the oblasts located closer to the frontlines being more vulnerable to Russian hostility – we’ve established Youth Hubs. These hubs are community centers where trained youth leaders organize football lessons and activities that support children’s mental health and well-being. The young volunteers help children cope with the impacts of the war through sports and social interaction.

In five of the most war-affected regions, we’ve also created Child-Friendly Spaces. These spaces combine sports and psychosocial support, with each one led by a coach and facilitator. The goal is to give children a place to play and interact while receiving the emotional support they need.

We are grateful to our partners for making these activities possible. Together, we are helping children in Ukraine find support and hope through football.

Support our work in Ukraine

As witnesses to devastating consequences of the war in Ukraine, we all want to contribute in the most fruitful way possible. Even if you’re not in or around Ukraine, you can still lend a hand.

We have opened for memberships that funds our work in Ukraine. The membership fee can be fitted to your personal budget, thus costing whatever you think is sufficient.

All membership fees goes directly to our work in Ukraine and if you choose a monthly plan, you also support our ongoing and future work in other parts of the world.

You can pay in Euros, US Dollars or Danish Kroner – Thank you!