HISTORY
RESPECT CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
Welcome to learn more about our history and mission.
The European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry was founded from a deep concern for the well-being, safety, and future of children and young people living in difficult and unstable conditions across Europe.
As wars, humanitarian crises, displacement, and natural disasters increasingly affect children’s lives, the need for long-term support, rehabilitation, education, and safe community environments has become more important than ever.
E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry was established to respond to this urgent need by combining:
The association officially began its activities in Finland with a strong international vision: to help children and young people recover from trauma, strengthen communities, and build hope for the future through movement, learning, and cooperation.
From the beginning, our work has focused especially on:
Particular attention has been directed toward supporting children and schools in Ukraine and other crisis areas in Europe.
Our Foundation Is Built on Human Values
The work of E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry is guided by:
Looking Toward the Future
Our history is only beginning.
E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry continues to build international partnerships, develop new rehabilitation and educational models, and create practical projects that support children and young people where help is needed most.
We believe that protecting children is one of the most important
responsibilities of humanity — today and for future generations.
RESPECT CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
Welcome to learn more about our history and mission.
The European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry was founded from a deep concern for the well-being, safety, and future of children and young people living in difficult and unstable conditions across Europe.
As wars, humanitarian crises, displacement, and natural disasters increasingly affect children’s lives, the need for long-term support, rehabilitation, education, and safe community environments has become more important than ever.
E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry was established to respond to this urgent need by combining:
- physical education,
- sport,
- education,
- rehabilitation,
- and human-rights-based humanitarian work.
The association officially began its activities in Finland with a strong international vision: to help children and young people recover from trauma, strengthen communities, and build hope for the future through movement, learning, and cooperation.
From the beginning, our work has focused especially on:
- children affected by war and crisis,
- trauma-informed physical education,
- educational development,
- international cooperation,
- and the future reconstruction of safe sports and learning environments.
Particular attention has been directed toward supporting children and schools in Ukraine and other crisis areas in Europe.
Our Foundation Is Built on Human Values
The work of E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry is guided by:
- the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child,
- equality and inclusion,
- peace and international cooperation,
- and the belief that every child deserves dignity, safety, education, movement, and hope.
Looking Toward the Future
Our history is only beginning.
E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry continues to build international partnerships, develop new rehabilitation and educational models, and create practical projects that support children and young people where help is needed most.
We believe that protecting children is one of the most important
responsibilities of humanity — today and for future generations.
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History
HISTORY
RESPECT CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
Defending Childhood in Times of War, Crisis, and Uncertainty
The European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry is a Finnish non-profit organization founded on January 7, 2026, in Heinola, Finland.
The organization was born from an urgent and deeply human realization:
Children must never be forgotten in war, crisis, or disaster.
Across Europe, millions of children and young people are growing up in environments shaped by armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies, displacement, fear, and destruction. War does not only destroy buildings and communities — it damages childhood itself.
Children lose:
E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry was established to stand firmly in defense of children’s rights, dignity, well-being, and future through:
Physical Education Is Not a Luxury — It Is a Human Right
At the heart of our work is one fundamental belief:
Every child has the right to move, play, learn, recover, and hope.
Physical education is far more than sport or exercise.
For children affected by trauma and crisis, movement can become:
Standing With Ukraine’s Children
From the very beginning, E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry has focused strongly on supporting children and young people in Ukraine.
War has left deep physical and emotional scars on an entire generation of children. Our organization works to support war-traumatized children through:
They deserve dignity, safety, education, and the opportunity to dream again.
International Cooperation for Children’s Rights
E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry operates in cooperation with:
A Defining Moment
Where Courage, Expertise, and Humanity Became Action
The true foundation of E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry was not created in a conference room.
It was born in the middle of a war zone.
On August 21, 2025, at the Mykolaiv Central Stadium in Ukraine, the future founders, experts, and board members of E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry organized the remarkable:
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT – World Children’s and Youth Physical Education Project Celebration Day
The event marked the 30th anniversary of the International Children’s Physical Activity Day.
In the middle of active war conditions, more than 100 children and young people gathered together:
It was an act of courage.An act of humanity.An act of defending childhood itself.While war and destruction surrounded the region, the stadium became filled with:
The right to be children.
To run.
To play.
To move freely.
To feel safe.
To smile without fear.
Movement as Hope
The success of the event was built on:
Movement became resistance.Joy became strength.Cooperation became hope.
Why E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry Exists
The experience in Mykolaiv created a powerful shared understanding:
This work could not remain temporary.
Children in crisis areas need long-term support, international cooperation, and permanent action.
From that moment forward, the creation of E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry became a moral responsibility.
The organization was built on:
Our Promise
The courage shown by children in Mykolaiv continues to guide our work every day.
E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry exists because one truth became impossible to ignore:
Even in war, children’s rights do not disappear.And neither does our responsibility to protect them.
We stand for children’s rights, human dignity, peace, recovery, and hope
— everywhere in Europe, and for every child without exception.
RESPECT CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
Defending Childhood in Times of War, Crisis, and Uncertainty
The European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry is a Finnish non-profit organization founded on January 7, 2026, in Heinola, Finland.
The organization was born from an urgent and deeply human realization:
Children must never be forgotten in war, crisis, or disaster.
Across Europe, millions of children and young people are growing up in environments shaped by armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies, displacement, fear, and destruction. War does not only destroy buildings and communities — it damages childhood itself.
Children lose:
- safety,
- stability,
- education,
- trust,
- and the right to live and grow in peace.
E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry was established to stand firmly in defense of children’s rights, dignity, well-being, and future through:
- physical education,
- sport and movement,
- education,
- rehabilitation,
- and humanitarian cooperation based on human rights.
Physical Education Is Not a Luxury — It Is a Human Right
At the heart of our work is one fundamental belief:
Every child has the right to move, play, learn, recover, and hope.
Physical education is far more than sport or exercise.
For children affected by trauma and crisis, movement can become:
- healing,
- rehabilitation,
- emotional recovery,
- resilience,
- social connection,
- and hope for the future.
Standing With Ukraine’s Children
From the very beginning, E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry has focused strongly on supporting children and young people in Ukraine.
War has left deep physical and emotional scars on an entire generation of children. Our organization works to support war-traumatized children through:
- physical activity and rehabilitation,
- educational support,
- trauma-informed physical education,
- safe community programs,
- and the future reconstruction of schools and sports facilities.
They deserve dignity, safety, education, and the opportunity to dream again.
International Cooperation for Children’s Rights
E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry operates in cooperation with:
- schools and universities,
- sports clubs and educational professionals,
- experts and humanitarian organizations,
- civil society partners,
- and European-level institutions.
- EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT, and
- SAVE OUR SCHOOLS – S.O.S.
- movement,
- safe growth,
- inclusion,
- education,
- and human dignity — even in the most difficult circumstances.
A Defining Moment
Where Courage, Expertise, and Humanity Became Action
The true foundation of E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry was not created in a conference room.
It was born in the middle of a war zone.
On August 21, 2025, at the Mykolaiv Central Stadium in Ukraine, the future founders, experts, and board members of E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry organized the remarkable:
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT – World Children’s and Youth Physical Education Project Celebration Day
The event marked the 30th anniversary of the International Children’s Physical Activity Day.
In the middle of active war conditions, more than 100 children and young people gathered together:
- girls and boys,
- students from mainstream schools,
- children from special education groups,
- teachers, coaches, and professionals — united side by side.
It was an act of courage.An act of humanity.An act of defending childhood itself.While war and destruction surrounded the region, the stadium became filled with:
- laughter,
- movement,
- joy,
- cooperation,
- and hope.
The right to be children.
To run.
To play.
To move freely.
To feel safe.
To smile without fear.
Movement as Hope
The success of the event was built on:
- professionalism,
- trust,
- educational expertise,
- international cooperation,
- and a shared belief that children’s rights must never disappear during war.
- safety,
- inclusion,
- dignity,
- equal participation,
- and emotional support for every child involved.
Movement became resistance.Joy became strength.Cooperation became hope.
Why E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry Exists
The experience in Mykolaiv created a powerful shared understanding:
This work could not remain temporary.
Children in crisis areas need long-term support, international cooperation, and permanent action.
From that moment forward, the creation of E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry became a moral responsibility.
The organization was built on:
- professional expertise,
- European cooperation,
- collective responsibility,
- and the unshakable belief that:
Our Promise
The courage shown by children in Mykolaiv continues to guide our work every day.
E.C.Y.P.E. Academy ry exists because one truth became impossible to ignore:
Even in war, children’s rights do not disappear.And neither does our responsibility to protect them.
We stand for children’s rights, human dignity, peace, recovery, and hope
— everywhere in Europe, and for every child without exception.
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Payment Details
Recipient:
E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry
(Please note the dots after each capital letter: E.C.Y.P.E.)
IBAN:
FI 177960 0171 1630 89
Message : write your information.
BIC/SWIFT:
NARYFIH2
Bank:
NARVI Payments Oy Ab
c/o Maria 01
Lapinlahdenkatu 16
00180 Helsinki
Finland
Recipient:
E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry
(Please note the dots after each capital letter: E.C.Y.P.E.)
IBAN:
FI 177960 0171 1630 89
Message : write your information.
BIC/SWIFT:
NARYFIH2
Bank:
NARVI Payments Oy Ab
c/o Maria 01
Lapinlahdenkatu 16
00180 Helsinki
Finland
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21.08.2025 Mykolaiv central stadium Ukraine. Volodymyr Kilarskyi & Timo Virtanen
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21.08.2025 Mykolaiv central stadium Ukraine.
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21.08.2025 Mykolaiv central stadium Ukraine.
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