Mykolaiv Regional Branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine
BUILDING THE FUTURE OF UKRAINIAN CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Mykolaiv, Ukraine / Finland – 13 August 2026
Mykolaiv, Ukraine / Finland – 13 August 2026
European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry and the Mykolaiv Regional Branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine have concluded a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a long-term strategic partnership to develop children's and youth physical education, coach education, youth participation, research, inclusion, reconstruction and international cooperation.
The agreement creates a shared strategic foundation, particularly for implementing the EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT in UKRAINE 2026–2036 programme in the Mykolaiv region and more broadly in Southern Ukraine. Under the agreement, the Mykolaiv regional branch of the Olympic Committee is recognised as one of E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry's key strategic Ukrainian partners in developing children's and youth physical education, coach education and education through sport.
This is not merely cooperation concerning sport.
It is about children's rights, human dignity, the future and hope.
It is about children's rights, human dignity, the future and hope.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION IS MORE THAN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY – ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDST OF WAR
Children and young people in the Mykolaiv region have been forced to live in conditions that no child should ever have to experience. The war has affected schooling, safety, families, communities, and physical activity and educational infrastructure.
In the MoU, the parties recognise this reality. According to the agreement, physical education, sport, coach education, youth participation and international cooperation can promote the physical, psychological and social well-being of children and young people. This is particularly important in communities affected by war, crises, displacement and the destruction of educational and physical activity infrastructure.
Physical education can offer a child something very fundamental: the opportunity to move, learn, participate, belong to a group, make friends, experience success and rebuild confidence in the future.
For this reason, physical education should not be regarded as a luxury or a secondary activity in wartime conditions. It can be part of a child's normal life, well-being, sense of community and the building of the future.
In the MoU, the parties recognise this reality. According to the agreement, physical education, sport, coach education, youth participation and international cooperation can promote the physical, psychological and social well-being of children and young people. This is particularly important in communities affected by war, crises, displacement and the destruction of educational and physical activity infrastructure.
Physical education can offer a child something very fundamental: the opportunity to move, learn, participate, belong to a group, make friends, experience success and rebuild confidence in the future.
For this reason, physical education should not be regarded as a luxury or a secondary activity in wartime conditions. It can be part of a child's normal life, well-being, sense of community and the building of the future.
CHILDREN DID NOT START THE WAR
Perhaps the most important message of the entire partnership is recorded in the concluding words of the cooperation agreement:
Children and young people affected by war and crises need more than simply the opportunity to survive.
They need opportunities for movement, education, participation, friendship, the spirit of FAIR PLAY, development, belonging and hope. At the same time, the agreement states unequivocally that children did not create the war or the crisis and that their rights to physical activity, education, participation, safety and human dignity must be respected.
This principle forms the moral foundation of the entire strategic cooperation.
Perhaps the most important message of the entire partnership is recorded in the concluding words of the cooperation agreement:
Children and young people affected by war and crises need more than simply the opportunity to survive.
They need opportunities for movement, education, participation, friendship, the spirit of FAIR PLAY, development, belonging and hope. At the same time, the agreement states unequivocally that children did not create the war or the crisis and that their rights to physical activity, education, participation, safety and human dignity must be respected.
This principle forms the moral foundation of the entire strategic cooperation.
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT.
RESPECT CHILDREN RIGHTS.
RESPECT CHILDREN RIGHTS.
THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT AND FAIR PLAY – VALUES THAT UKRAINE'S FUTURE NEEDS
The Olympic spirit is much more than competition, medals and sporting achievements. Its educational significance can be associated with respect, friendship, striving for excellence, international understanding and bringing people together through sport.
These values have particular significance precisely when society is being tested by war.
From the perspective of this cooperation, FAIR PLAY means fairness, equality, respect for others, following rules, responsibility and ensuring that no one is left outside.
The objectives of the MoU's FAIR PLAY Team activities include the joy of movement, physical activity, participation, equality, friendship, respect, teamwork, inclusion, community and well-being. The agreement expressly emphasises that sport and physical education should not be seen solely as competition or the pursuit of sporting results, but also as instruments of education, inclusion, participation, well-being, recovery and hope.
These values have particular significance precisely when society is being tested by war.
From the perspective of this cooperation, FAIR PLAY means fairness, equality, respect for others, following rules, responsibility and ensuring that no one is left outside.
The objectives of the MoU's FAIR PLAY Team activities include the joy of movement, physical activity, participation, equality, friendship, respect, teamwork, inclusion, community and well-being. The agreement expressly emphasises that sport and physical education should not be seen solely as competition or the pursuit of sporting results, but also as instruments of education, inclusion, participation, well-being, recovery and hope.
This is a powerful message to the children of Mykolaiv:
You do not have to be a champion to be important.
You do not have to win to have value.
You have the right to participate.
You belong.
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT.
You do not have to be a champion to be important.
You do not have to win to have value.
You have the right to participate.
You belong.
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT.
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT in UKRAINE 2026–2036
The MoU establishes the EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT in UKRAINE 2026–2036 programme as a central long-term framework for cooperation.
The programme is intended for children, young people, families, schools, sports organisations and communities affected by the war and its consequences. Within the programme, activities may include the development of physical education programmes, training for coaches and Assistant Coaches, FAIR PLAY Team clubs, MOVEMENT & HEART – Rukh i Sertse / Рух і Серце activities, family physical activity, inclusive events, youth participation, research, training, international cooperation and physical-education initiatives related to reconstruction.
The objective is therefore not to organise isolated events, but to build a long-term operating model for 2026–2036.
The programme is intended for children, young people, families, schools, sports organisations and communities affected by the war and its consequences. Within the programme, activities may include the development of physical education programmes, training for coaches and Assistant Coaches, FAIR PLAY Team clubs, MOVEMENT & HEART – Rukh i Sertse / Рух і Серце activities, family physical activity, inclusive events, youth participation, research, training, international cooperation and physical-education initiatives related to reconstruction.
The objective is therefore not to organise isolated events, but to build a long-term operating model for 2026–2036.
YOUNG PEOPLE AS BUILDERS OF THE FUTURE
One of the significant future opportunities of the cooperation is to train young people for Assistant Coach roles.
The planned training may include children's physical education, physical literacy, FAIR PLAY principles, children's rights, leadership, communication, teamwork, inclusion, safe physical activity and practical coaching experience under adult supervision. At the same time, the objective is to develop young people's responsibility, leadership and future professional capabilities.
This reflects an important long-term idea of the cooperation:
Ukrainian young people are not only recipients of assistance. They can also be builders of the future of their own society.
When a young person is given education, responsibility, skills and an opportunity to help younger children, local expertise, leadership and the future of the community are built at the same time.
The planned training may include children's physical education, physical literacy, FAIR PLAY principles, children's rights, leadership, communication, teamwork, inclusion, safe physical activity and practical coaching experience under adult supervision. At the same time, the objective is to develop young people's responsibility, leadership and future professional capabilities.
This reflects an important long-term idea of the cooperation:
Ukrainian young people are not only recipients of assistance. They can also be builders of the future of their own society.
When a young person is given education, responsibility, skills and an opportunity to help younger children, local expertise, leadership and the future of the community are built at the same time.
MYKOLAIV CAN BECOME A MODEL FOR UKRAINE MORE BROADLY
The strategic cooperation begins with a strong practical focus on Mykolaiv and Southern Ukraine, but the agreement also enables cooperation to be developed later elsewhere in Ukraine.
The MoU also outlines an initial three-year framework that could combine coach education, Assistant Coach training, FAIR PLAY Team clubs, the MOVEMENT & HEART programme, family physical activity, inclusion, children's rights, and research and evaluation.
The aim would be to develop and test an evidence-based, sustainable operating model. If the results are positive and measurable, expansion of the model to other regions of Ukraine can be assessed.
In this way, Mykolaiv can serve not only as a location for activities, but also as a place where expertise and future models of physical education are developed for a Ukraine recovering from war.
The MoU also outlines an initial three-year framework that could combine coach education, Assistant Coach training, FAIR PLAY Team clubs, the MOVEMENT & HEART programme, family physical activity, inclusion, children's rights, and research and evaluation.
The aim would be to develop and test an evidence-based, sustainable operating model. If the results are positive and measurable, expansion of the model to other regions of Ukraine can be assessed.
In this way, Mykolaiv can serve not only as a location for activities, but also as a place where expertise and future models of physical education are developed for a Ukraine recovering from war.
CHILDREN'S SAFETY AND HUMAN DIGNITY FIRST
The cooperation agreement also establishes a very clear ethical boundary:
the safety, dignity and rights of children must always come first.
Activities must comply with the principles of child safeguarding, supervision, informed consent, privacy, data protection, non-discrimination, accessibility and research ethics. No programme-related, research, communications, sporting or financial objective may take precedence over a child's safety and human dignity.
This principle is critically important, particularly in war and crisis conditions.
the safety, dignity and rights of children must always come first.
Activities must comply with the principles of child safeguarding, supervision, informed consent, privacy, data protection, non-discrimination, accessibility and research ethics. No programme-related, research, communications, sporting or financial objective may take precedence over a child's safety and human dignity.
This principle is critically important, particularly in war and crisis conditions.
A SHARED STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP – A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FUTURE
This MoU brings together two important strengths: Ukrainian local expertise and the network connected with the Olympic movement, together with E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy's development of international physical education, education, research and cooperation.
The agreement specifically aims to combine international expertise with strong Ukrainian capacity for practical implementation.
At the same time, the cooperation can build connections with schools, sports clubs, coaches, physical education professionals, young athletes, municipalities, regional actors, civil society organisations, universities, researchers, and European and international partners.
This makes the signed MoU more than a declaration of cooperation.
It provides a foundation for shared strategic work for the benefit of children and young people.
The agreement specifically aims to combine international expertise with strong Ukrainian capacity for practical implementation.
At the same time, the cooperation can build connections with schools, sports clubs, coaches, physical education professionals, young athletes, municipalities, regional actors, civil society organisations, universities, researchers, and European and international partners.
This makes the signed MoU more than a declaration of cooperation.
It provides a foundation for shared strategic work for the benefit of children and young people.
Olena Mosheiv, First Deputy Head of the Mykolaiv Regional Branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine ( NOC ), with the Memorandum of Cooperation.
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Anatolii Bugaiev, Official Ukraine Regional Coordinator of the European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry, and Olena Mosheiv, First Deputy Head of the Mykolaiv Regional Branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine (NOC), with the Memorandum of Cooperation.
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THANK YOU TO MYKOLAIV – AND TO EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN CHILDREN'S FUTURE
European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry expresses its warm and profound gratitude to the Mykolaiv Regional Branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine and its head, Dmytro Volodymyrovych Falko, for their trust and for concluding this significant strategic cooperation agreement.
Special thanks also go to E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy's official Regional Coordinator in Ukraine, Anatolii Bugaiev, who has supported the practical development of the cooperation.
Our thanks equally go to all teachers, coaches, sports actors, schools, families, volunteers and cooperation partners in Mykolaiv who, despite difficult circumstances, continue to build the future of children and young people.
Special thanks also go to E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy's official Regional Coordinator in Ukraine, Anatolii Bugaiev, who has supported the practical development of the cooperation.
Our thanks equally go to all teachers, coaches, sports actors, schools, families, volunteers and cooperation partners in Mykolaiv who, despite difficult circumstances, continue to build the future of children and young people.
War can destroy buildings and sports facilities.
It must not be allowed to destroy a child's right to move.
It must not be allowed to destroy a child's right to learn.
It must not be allowed to destroy friendship.
It must not be allowed to destroy the spirit of FAIR PLAY.
And it must not be allowed to destroy a child's belief in the future.
It must not be allowed to destroy a child's right to move.
It must not be allowed to destroy a child's right to learn.
It must not be allowed to destroy friendship.
It must not be allowed to destroy the spirit of FAIR PLAY.
And it must not be allowed to destroy a child's belief in the future.
This is why cooperation is needed right now – and why it will continue to be needed long after the war has ended.
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT.
RESPECT CHILDREN RIGHTS.
MOVEMENT & HEART.
FAIR PLAY.
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT.
RESPECT CHILDREN RIGHTS.
MOVEMENT & HEART.
FAIR PLAY.
FROM MYKOLAIV TOWARDS A STRONGER FUTURE FOR UKRAINE'S CHILDREN.
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
Finland
Timo Virtanen
President of the Board
Founder of the EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT Project since 21 August 1995
Anatolii Bugaiev, Official Ukraine Regional Coordinator of the European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy ry, and Olena Mosheiv, First Deputy Head of the Mykolaiv Regional Branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine (NOC), with the Memorandum of Cooperation.