Recovery and Adaptation of Displaced Children Through Sports Programmes
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, millions of Ukrainian children have been forced to leave their homes. A change of environment, separation from friends and new living conditions have all posed serious challenges to their mental and physical health.
Sport has proven to be an effective tool not only for physical activity but also for psychological recovery. Participation in sports programmes helps children cope with stress, adapt to new circumstances, build self-confidence, and develop social skills.
Global context
According to UNHCR, by 2024, more than 120 million people worldwide had been forcibly displaced. A significant number of them are children. The United Nations, the European Commission, and other international institutions recognise sport as a powerful instrument for social integration and overcoming discrimination.
In Ukraine, over 1.5 million children have become refugees, while hundreds of thousands more have been internally displaced. For many, sport has become a way to regain a sense of normalcy, make new friends, and reconnect with society.
Role of sport in adaptation
Sports programmes provide a safe, structured environment where children can:
- strengthen their physical and mental health
- develop resilience, teamwork, and discipline
- form social bonds
- restore trust and self-confidence
Shared sports activities, football, swimming, martial arts, or adaptive sports, help children from different backgrounds interact, support one another and build new relationships.
PanteonX Foundation's Initiative
We believe that sport should be accessible to every child, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Our Foundation runs a programme to support displaced children through sport in both Ukraine and Spain. Key areas of focus include:
- cooperation with local sports clubs and federations
- adapting sports infrastructure for children with disabilities
- organising adaptation-focused sports activities for Ukrainian children abroad
- implementing inclusive programmes in communities hosting displaced children
By investing in inclusive sports today, we are helping shape a healthier, more resilient generation – one that will rebuild Ukraine and lead it into the future.
Recovery and Adaptation of Displaced Children Through Sports Programmes
Read other articles of the fund
“Children Who Grew Up Too Soon”: New Childhood in Wartime
June 12 is the World Day Against Child Labour — a date traditionally used to highlight exploitation in impoverished countries. But in 2025, it resonates painfully close to home in Ukraine.
Supporting Children in Crisis: How Adults Can Be Anchor
In times of war, children find themselves caught in a storm they never chose. Their childhood unfolds between air raids and evacuations, news of loss and constant anxiety. This is why emotional support for children must not wait for “better times.”
Volunteers in Shadows: Quiet Help, Loud Impact
While the world admires Ukraine’s resilience, much of that strength lies in the quiet work of volunteers — those far from the spotlight. They aren’t public faces or media heroes. They are everyday people: packing aid, driving evacuation routes, comforting displaced children, organizing support groups for veterans.