January 16th, 2026

​​World Children & Youth Physical Education Academy -  ( C.Y.P.E. - Academy )

SAVE OUR SCHOOLS – S.O.S. in Ukraine

Immediate Launch of European Cooperation and Project Leadership
The project initiated on 18 April 2025 by the World Children & Youth Physical Education Academy (C.Y.P.E.-Academy) enters a new and decisive phase with the immediate launch of cooperation with its newly established European member organization, the European Children & Youth Physical Education Academy – (E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy) ry.

The E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy assumes full leadership of the project in Europe, while the C.Y.P.E.-Academy provides continuous global support, international coordination, expertise, and advocacy at the worldwide level.
This structure strengthens the project’s operational capacity, credibility, and long-term sustainability across Europe and conflict-affected regions.
Together, both organizations stand united in defending children’s fundamental rights, promoting peace through education and sport, and actively opposing terrorism and war crimes, particularly those committed against children, schools, and civilian communities in Ukraine.

Purpose and Objectives of the Project
​The main objectives of the project are to:

• Support physical education and sports opportunities in schools and youth sports clubs in war-affected areas, especially in the Mykolaiv region of Southern Ukraine.
• Provide psychological and physical well-being for children and youth through safe, structured activities – recognizing that sport and physical education are powerful tools for trauma recovery, resilience, and community rebuilding.
• Deliver school supplies and sports equipment directly to schools and youth sports organizations in need.
• Build and communicate a strong message of hope, justice, equality, and human dignity, even while children are living in the midst of armed conflict.
  (EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT)

The project also aims to develop sustainable long-term structures, including the training of local teachers and coaches to work effectively with traumatized children, using child-centered, rights-based, and trauma-informed educational and physical activity methods.
(EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT)

Children’s Rights, Physical Education, and Courage in Conflict Zones

This project is founded on the absolute and non-negotiable principle that children’s rights must be protected at all times, including during war.
Children have the right to safety, education, play, physical activity, and a future free from fear.
Physical education and sport are not secondary activities in conflict zones – they are essential humanitarian tools. They help protect children from exploitation, radicalization, and psychological collapse, while strengthening peace, solidarity, and resistance against violence and terror.
The C.Y.P.E.-Academy and E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy courageously condemn all acts of terrorism and war crimes, especially attacks targeting schools, children, and educational environments in Ukraine.
Through this project, the organizations actively promote international cooperation, civil courage, and joint action against violence and injustice.

🤝 Cooperation Partners
The project is implemented in cooperation with multiple stakeholders:

• Local sports clubs and schools – including the GO FLAMO Athletics Club from Mykolaiv and schools in Snihurivka (Schools No. 1 and 3), which are among the first participating institutions.
  (EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT)
• International and humanitarian organizations – the project EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT has previously cooperated with organizations such as the United Nations and NATO peacekeeping forces (SFOR, ISAF) in other conflict regions. These international networks also support the implementation of activities in Ukraine.
  (EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT)
• Sponsors and supporters – the project actively seeks funding partners and supporters from different countries to ensure growth, continuity, and long-term impact.
  (EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT)

👤 Project Coordinator and Background
The Chief Project Coordinator is Timo Virtanen, who also serves as the Director of the World Children & Youth Physical Education Academy (C.Y.P.E.-Academy).
(EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT)
Background of Timo Virtanen

• He is a Finnish professional in physical education and education with over 35 years of experience in developing physical education and youth programs, including extensive work in conflict and post-conflict regions.
• Virtanen has served as a project coordinator in several previous developmental and humanitarian programs, including in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1998–1999) and Afghanistan (2005–2020), prior to the launch of the Ukraine project.

His work is driven by a deep commitment to children’s rights, peace education, and the use of sport as a tool against violence, exclusion, and terror.

Final Statement of Commitment
The C.Y.P.E.-Academy and E.C.Y.P.E.-Academy stand together with courage and determination to protect children, schools, and educational communities.
This project is not only humanitarian work – it is a clear moral stance:
Children are not targets.
Schools are not battlefields.
Sport and education are forces for peace.
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT.

Timo Virtanen General Manager in Mykolaiv city 2025