November 04th, 2025

EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT in Ukraine – Health and Physical Education Project
Launching on the United Nations International Day of Education, January 24, 2026
Mykolaiv, Ukraine
Dear partners, friends, and supporters,
In 2026, the city of Mykolaiv and its regional communities will become the starting point for a ten-year health and physical education program, EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT in Ukraine.
The aim of this initiative is to support the physical, mental, and social well-being of children and young people living in the midst of war—through the power of movement, education, and human connection.
The project is based on solid research evidence showing how physical education strengthens children’s overall well-being. Especially during crises, physical activity brings hope, structure, and togetherness into everyday life. It provides a way to cope with fear and uncertainty and helps to rebuild trust in the future. Physical education has become one of the most important cornerstones of Ukraine’s recovery—an essential path toward healing and social cohesion.
The war has left deep marks on Ukraine’s education and sports systems.
More than 500 sports facilities have been damaged or destroyed, and many teachers and coaches have been displaced. In the Mykolaiv region alone, nearly 400 schools have been affected, and much of the teaching still takes place online or in shelters.
Despite these challenges, sport and physical activity continue to thrive in Ukraine as a symbol of hope, community, and resilience.
The EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT in Ukraine project continues the long-standing work of the Everybody is important initiative, launched in Finland in 1995.
For over 30 years, the program has promoted inclusive physical education and equal opportunities for children and youth worldwide—including in the Balkans and Afghanistan—with the support of the United Nations and NATO missions.
Now, this experience and international network are being brought to serve Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery.
Main goals for 2026–2036

1. Support physical education and sports activities in schools and sports clubs throughout the Mykolaiv region.
2. Research and document the impact of physical education on children’s mental and physical well-being.
3. Train teachers and instructors to become ambassadors of health, movement, and education across Ukraine.
4. Build international school partnerships and strengthen cooperation between schools, sports clubs, and communities.

The project will officially begin on January 24, 2026, in cooperation with our partner network SAVE OUR SCHOOLS – S.O.S. in Ukraine.
During the opening meetings, the next stages of the project will be planned, followed by training programs for coaches and instructors and the launch of EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT physical education clubs for children and youth.
The initiative will gradually expand to other municipalities within the Mykolaiv region.
We warmly invite international schools, sports clubs, organizations, and individual sponsors to join this meaningful work.
Every message, letter, partnership, or sponsorship is a vital sign of care—and a concrete step toward a brighter future for Ukraine’s children and young people.
Project funding will be discussed with EU partners, private sponsors, and potential collaborating universities.
Further information and cooperation opportunities
Timo Virtanen
Coordinator
World Children & Youth Physical Education Academy (C.Y.P.E. Academy)
📱 WhatsApp: +358 45 125 8817
📧 Email: [email protected]


Physical education is more than movement—it is life, hope, and humanity.
In Ukraine, every child truly matters.