DP5YOU sports and recreational events in Ukraine, Moldova and Portugal

In July 2026, the partner organisations of the international project “Digital Platform of Knowledge and Skills Development for Youth Working with Child Migrants and Refugees at European Level“ (DP5YOU), co-funded by the European Union, organised sports and leisure activities in Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Portugal. The activities took place as part of the preparation for the “E-Booklet on Sports Events Preparation and Organisation” and provided an opportunity for young people to put into practice the knowledge gained through the project.

In Ukraine, the non-governmental organisation “YOUTH. SCIENCE. SPORT. HEALTHY MOVEMENT OF UKRAINE”, together with its partners, organised an event for children from vulnerable groups who were staying at the “Oikos”camp in the Chernivtsi region. Young people who had completed training on the DP5YOU platform played an active role in organising and running the programme.

Participants took part in sports and team exercises, completed an obstacle course incorporating orienteering elements, and took part in warm-up exercises and athletics activities. The event helped to increase the children’s physical activity, whilst the young organisers developed their leadership, communication and organisational skills.

In Moldova, the activities brought together local young people and young Ukrainians with experience of forced displacement who were taking part in the MilleniuM Training and Development Institute summer camp. The young people independently planned and ran sports and team activities for their peers.

The programme included warm-up exercises, team challenges and activities incorporating elements of orienteering. The joint activities promoted social inclusion, intercultural dialogue, trust-building, teamwork and the formation of new friendships among the participants.

In Portugal, the events were organised for vulnerable teenagers from Portugal and Poland who were taking part in an international youth exchange hosted by the Século Foundation. Youth workers joined in to lead the activities, drawing on the knowledge and approaches gained through DP5YOU.

The key exercises were the Human Knot and the Blind Walk, aimed at developing trust, communication, cooperation and emotional resilience. As a result, group interaction improved, communication barriers were reduced and mutual understanding among participants was strengthened.

The events demonstrated the potential of sport as a tool for social integration, youth leadership, intercultural dialogue and the development of life skills. The practical experience gained will be utilised in the preparation of the “E-Booklet on Sports Events Preparation and Organisation”.