The project “Play for Inclusion — Sports as a Path for Social Integration of Vulnerable Ukrainian and Moldovan Children”

The project “Play for Inclusion — Sports as a Path for Social Integration of Vulnerable Ukrainian and Moldovan Children” is an initiative implemented from March to August 2025, with financial support from the International Rescue Committee (IRC). It aims to foster the social integration of vulnerable children from Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, especially those from low-income families.

The main goal of the project is to promote social inclusion and community integration through sports activities that reinforce values such as teamwork, resilience, and intercultural dialogue. In this context, sport becomes more than a physical activity: it is a tool for connection, reducing isolation, and strengthening relationships among children from different backgrounds, including between Ukrainian refugees and children from host communities.

An important component of the project was the summer camp attended by 40 children from Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. Over five days, the children took part in structured sports activities and interactive sessions designed to encourage active participation, cooperation, and communication.

By funding football lessons and day camps, the project supported vulnerable children’s access to educational and recreational activities that are essential for their emotional and social development. In a context shaped by migration, economic vulnerability, and adaptation to new communities, “Play for Inclusion” helps reduce barriers to integration and contributes to building more united communities where children feel accepted, supported, and encouraged to develop healthy relationships.