Mishkovo-Pohorilove Regional Academic Lyceum
“Inhulskyi”
NEW STRATEGIC COOPERATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AFFECTED BY WAR
European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry and Mishkovo-Pohorilove Regional Academic Lyceum “Inhulskyi” establish cooperation in education, physical education, youth development and international projects
Mykolaiv Region, Ukraine / Finland – 27 August 2026
Mykolaiv Region, Ukraine / Finland – 27 August 2026
The European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry, Finland, and the Municipal Institution “Mishkovo-Pohorilove Regional Academic Lyceum ‘Inhulskyi’ of the Mykolaiv Regional Council”, Ukraine, have concluded a significant Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for strategic cooperation in education, physical education, youth development and international projects.
The cooperation has particular significance because the children and young people concerned are living with the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine. Students from the Kherson region have come to the Mykolaiv area, where conditions are considerably safer for their education and everyday life. The Lyceum therefore has a particularly important role in providing educational continuity and a community for children whose lives and schooling have been affected by war and displacement.
The cooperation has particular significance because the children and young people concerned are living with the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine. Students from the Kherson region have come to the Mykolaiv area, where conditions are considerably safer for their education and everyday life. The Lyceum therefore has a particularly important role in providing educational continuity and a community for children whose lives and schooling have been affected by war and displacement.
This information concerning the students' origin in the Kherson region is additional information provided by E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry and is not stated in the text of the signed MoU itself.
The Memorandum explicitly recognises the circumstances of children and young people affected by war, disruption of education, displacement, damage to educational and sports infrastructure and other consequences of the war in Ukraine. It establishes cooperation based on children's rights, equality, inclusion, Fair Play, transparency and responsible international partnership.
CHILDREN NEED MORE THAN SURVIVAL — THEY NEED A FUTURE
War changes the world around a child, but it must never be allowed to take away the child's right to develop.
A child needs education. A child needs movement. A child needs friends. A child needs participation. A child needs safety. A child needs hope.
Physical education has a particularly important role in this environment. It is not simply sport, competition or physical exercise. Well-planned physical education can create opportunities for children and young people to experience participation, belonging, cooperation, success and normal everyday life.
A child needs education. A child needs movement. A child needs friends. A child needs participation. A child needs safety. A child needs hope.
Physical education has a particularly important role in this environment. It is not simply sport, competition or physical exercise. Well-planned physical education can create opportunities for children and young people to experience participation, belonging, cooperation, success and normal everyday life.
The new cooperation therefore seeks to increase access to quality education, physical education and sport; strengthen opportunities for children and young people affected by war; develop youth participation and leadership; support teachers, coaches and educational professionals; and promote the fundamental rights, dignity and well-being of children and young people.
The MoU gives special attention to inclusive physical education and sport, community-based physical activity, education through sport, Fair Play, children's participation, family physical activity and activities supporting children's physical, psychological and social well-being. Importantly, the agreement also explicitly includes opportunities for children with disabilities and children requiring additional support.
The MoU gives special attention to inclusive physical education and sport, community-based physical activity, education through sport, Fair Play, children's participation, family physical activity and activities supporting children's physical, psychological and social well-being. Importantly, the agreement also explicitly includes opportunities for children with disabilities and children requiring additional support.
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT IN UKRAINE 2026–2036
The partnership can become an important part of the Academy's long-term EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT in UKRAINE – 2026–2036 framework.
Under the signed Memorandum, possible cooperation includes physical education programmes, youth education, coach and assistant-coach education, inclusive physical activity, FAIR PLAY Team activities, MOVEMENT & HEART – Rukh i Sertse, family physical education, youth participation, research and evaluation, training, seminars, pilot programmes, educational materials, international cooperation, and activities supporting recovery and reconstruction.
This gives the cooperation a purpose extending far beyond individual sporting events.
The objective is to help build a sustainable environment in which children and young people can move, learn, participate, develop and belong — including children whose childhood has been disrupted by war.
Under the signed Memorandum, possible cooperation includes physical education programmes, youth education, coach and assistant-coach education, inclusive physical activity, FAIR PLAY Team activities, MOVEMENT & HEART – Rukh i Sertse, family physical education, youth participation, research and evaluation, training, seminars, pilot programmes, educational materials, international cooperation, and activities supporting recovery and reconstruction.
This gives the cooperation a purpose extending far beyond individual sporting events.
The objective is to help build a sustainable environment in which children and young people can move, learn, participate, develop and belong — including children whose childhood has been disrupted by war.
RESPECT CHILDREN RIGHTS
At the heart of the cooperation is a principle that cannot be compromised:
THE SAFETY, DIGNITY AND RIGHTS OF CHILDREN MUST ALWAYS COME FIRST.
This principle is expressly incorporated into the Memorandum. Activities involving children and young people are to follow appropriate safeguarding, adult-supervision, child-protection, informed-consent, privacy, data-protection, non-discrimination and accessibility principles. The Parties also seek equal opportunities for girls and boys, children with disabilities, children requiring additional support and children from different social backgrounds.
For children affected by war, children's rights cannot be postponed until peace returns.
THE SAFETY, DIGNITY AND RIGHTS OF CHILDREN MUST ALWAYS COME FIRST.
This principle is expressly incorporated into the Memorandum. Activities involving children and young people are to follow appropriate safeguarding, adult-supervision, child-protection, informed-consent, privacy, data-protection, non-discrimination and accessibility principles. The Parties also seek equal opportunities for girls and boys, children with disabilities, children requiring additional support and children from different social backgrounds.
For children affected by war, children's rights cannot be postponed until peace returns.
The right to education cannot wait.
The right to movement cannot wait.
The right to participation cannot wait.
The right to development cannot wait.
Childhood cannot wait.
The right to movement cannot wait.
The right to participation cannot wait.
The right to development cannot wait.
Childhood cannot wait.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AS PART OF RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION
Ukraine's reconstruction will eventually require enormous investment in buildings, schools, sports facilities and infrastructure.
But reconstruction is also about people.
It is about children growing into healthy young adults. It is about rebuilding communities and social relationships. It is about teachers and coaches having the knowledge and resources to support young people. And it is about ensuring that children who have experienced displacement and disruption are given meaningful opportunities to participate again.
For this reason, the partners also envisage cooperation with universities and researchers in areas including children's and young people's well-being, physical literacy, physical activity, youth participation, inclusion, leadership, social interaction and the development of safe physical education approaches in crisis and recovery environments.
But reconstruction is also about people.
It is about children growing into healthy young adults. It is about rebuilding communities and social relationships. It is about teachers and coaches having the knowledge and resources to support young people. And it is about ensuring that children who have experienced displacement and disruption are given meaningful opportunities to participate again.
For this reason, the partners also envisage cooperation with universities and researchers in areas including children's and young people's well-being, physical literacy, physical activity, youth participation, inclusion, leadership, social interaction and the development of safe physical education approaches in crisis and recovery environments.
FROM MYKOLAIV TO EUROPE — BUILDING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
The partnership also opens possibilities for wider European and international cooperation.
The Academy will seek opportunities to identify relevant European and international funding programmes, foundations and donors; contribute to project development; build international partnerships; and facilitate connections with universities, research institutions, educational organisations and sports organisations. The Lyceum will contribute its understanding of local needs, target groups and practical implementation in Ukraine.
The Academy will seek opportunities to identify relevant European and international funding programmes, foundations and donors; contribute to project development; build international partnerships; and facilitate connections with universities, research institutions, educational organisations and sports organisations. The Lyceum will contribute its understanding of local needs, target groups and practical implementation in Ukraine.
The organisations may also develop cooperation with European and Ukrainian institutions, universities, schools, sports organisations, National Olympic organisations and sports federations, municipalities, NGOs, foundations and international organisations.
This combination is particularly important: local Ukrainian knowledge and responsibility must remain at the centre, while European and international cooperation can bring additional expertise, networks, research and resources.
Indeed, the Memorandum specifically recognises that sustainable international cooperation should strengthen Ukrainian capacity rather than replace it.
This combination is particularly important: local Ukrainian knowledge and responsibility must remain at the centre, while European and international cooperation can bring additional expertise, networks, research and resources.
Indeed, the Memorandum specifically recognises that sustainable international cooperation should strengthen Ukrainian capacity rather than replace it.
A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON FAIR PLAY, HUMANITY AND HOPE
The educational philosophy behind the cooperation is closely connected with the EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT initiative, founded by Timo Virtanen in Finland on 21 August 1995.
Its principles incorporated into the MoU include children's rights, equality, participation, physical education, inclusion, Fair Play, friendship, respect, community and international cooperation.
In Ukraine today, these are not abstract values.
FAIR PLAY means that nobody is left outside.
It means recognising the child before the athlete, human dignity before performance, participation before exclusion, and cooperation before division.
Its principles incorporated into the MoU include children's rights, equality, participation, physical education, inclusion, Fair Play, friendship, respect, community and international cooperation.
In Ukraine today, these are not abstract values.
FAIR PLAY means that nobody is left outside.
It means recognising the child before the athlete, human dignity before performance, participation before exclusion, and cooperation before division.
THANK YOU FOR BUILDING THIS BRIDGE FOR CHILDREN
The European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry expresses its sincere gratitude to Acting Director Dmytro Vasylovych Tytarenko, the leadership and staff of the Mishkovo-Pohorilove Regional Academic Lyceum “Inhulskyi”, and everyone who has contributed to making this cooperation possible. The signed agreement identifies Dmytro Vasylovych Tytarenko as the Lyceum's Acting Director and representative.
Special appreciation is also extended to Anatolii Bugaiev, Official Regional Coordinator for Ukraine of European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry, for his continuing work in Ukraine, development of local partnerships, coordination and practical cooperation. His coordinating role in Ukraine is expressly recognised in the Memorandum.
Every new partnership is another bridge.
A bridge between Ukraine and Europe.
A bridge between education and physical education.
A bridge between children affected by war and the opportunities they deserve.
And, above all, a bridge between the difficulties of today and the possibilities of tomorrow.
Every new partnership is another bridge.
A bridge between Ukraine and Europe.
A bridge between education and physical education.
A bridge between children affected by war and the opportunities they deserve.
And, above all, a bridge between the difficulties of today and the possibilities of tomorrow.
The Parties have expressed the spirit of their cooperation in the Memorandum in seven words:
EDUCATION – PHYSICAL EDUCATION – CHILDREN'S RIGHTS – FAIR PLAY – INCLUSION – COOPERATION – HOPE
EDUCATION – PHYSICAL EDUCATION – CHILDREN'S RIGHTS – FAIR PLAY – INCLUSION – COOPERATION – HOPE
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT.
RESPECT CHILDREN RIGHTS.
European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry
Finland
Timo Virtanen
President of the Board
Founder of the EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT Project since 21 August 1995
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT in UKRAINE – 2026–2036
For children. For education. For physical education. For Ukraine's future.
RESPECT CHILDREN RIGHTS.
European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry
Finland
Timo Virtanen
President of the Board
Founder of the EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT Project since 21 August 1995
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT in UKRAINE – 2026–2036
For children. For education. For physical education. For Ukraine's future.
