Come On, Let’s Play! – the largest social initiative for youth football in Ukraine
Since 2018, DTEK and the of FC Shakhtar have partnered to bring football to children across Ukraine. “Come On, Let’s Play!” is now the country’s largest grassroots football programme for youth, giving thousands of children a chance to stay active, learn and grow.
Meeting current needs in challenging times
The project addresses several pressing challenges:
- Many Ukrainian children lack opportunities for regular physical activity, hindering healthy lifestyle development from an early age.
- Small towns, villages, and socially vulnerable communities have limited access to quality sports infrastructure.
- Following russia's full-scale invasion, children experience heightened stress and anxiety while facing restricted access to safe spaces for learning, play, and growth.
- Communities near the frontline, in de-occupied territories, and those hosting internally displaced persons (IDPs) face particular vulnerabilities.
Comprehensive approach to youth development
"Come On, Let’s Play!" delivers a multi-faceted program that includes:
- Arranging new sports fields in vulnerable communities
- Organising regular training sessions and football tournaments for children
- Providing educational programmes for football coaches
- Offering psychological support aimed at stabilising the psycho-emotional state of children, reducing anxiety, and supporting their mental health (added in 2022).
The initiative involves boys and girls aged 7-12, including children with disabilities.
Core values and principles
The programme is built upon foundational values: respect, team spirit, support, confidence, responsibility, initiative, and creativity. These principles help us:
- Develop grassroots football
- Promote sports participation
- Engage children in regular physical activity
- Encourage healthy habits early on
- Foster core human values
Impact and growth
Programme key figures during all years (2018-2024)
- 10,000 children engaged since the launch of the programme
- 80+ communities
In 2024 company helped set up 20 football grounds in the regions where it operates, and another 20 in other regions. In total, almost 2,000 children with a special programme focus on communities near the frontline, de-occupied areas, and regions hosting large numbers of internally displaced persons.
True inclusion in action
“Come On, Let’s Play!” takes a genuinely inclusive approach, welcoming children with disabilities, children with autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, hearing impairments, and cerebral palsy, to ensure equal access to education and social opportunities. Our goal is to ensure every child has equal access to educational and social opportunities.
Beyond football: a foundation for community growth
“Come On, Let’s Play!” is more than just a football programme. It is a springboard for wider community change. By investing in sports infrastructure and community activities, DTEK helps create environments where other social initiatives can grow. The programme’s strategic expansion across Ukraine enables greater outreach to local communities and provides a platform for building partnerships with both international and local organisations. The project's football infrastructure hosts various related initiatives – from tournaments to educational, inclusive, and psychosocial support – enhancing the programme’s positive impact in communities.
Olena Semych, HR Director at DTEK and Head of DTEK Academy, comments:
“Come On, Let’s Play!” project is about more than just football. It is a space where, through regular training and support, we care not only for children's physical activity but also their emotional well-being. In wartime conditions, when every child needs stability and care, such initiatives support the physical and emotional well-being of children and provide them with the opportunity to grow in a safe, enriching environment where sport is accessible to every child."
Contributing to global sustainable development
This project not only fosters local sustainable development but also significantly contributes to the achievement of the on a global scale.
“Come On, Let’s Play!” contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
The project promotes active lifestyles through regular football training and tournaments, supporting physical and emotional wellbeing of children, particularly those affected by war. Involvement of psychologists enhances mental health outcomes.
Goal 4: Quality Education
Through sport-based learning and coach education, the project builds essential soft skills including teamwork, discipline, leadership, and emotional intelligence. Training sessions include educational components that teach important values and support children’s overall development.
Goal 5: Gender Equality
“Come On, Let’s Play!” is an inclusive project that equally engages both boys and girls in football. It actively promotes female participation in sports and provides a safe and supportive environment for all children. A female coach is also involved in project implementation.
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
The initiative helps reduce inequality by providing equal opportunities for children from vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities, children affected by war, and internally displaced persons.
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The project is run in partnerships with the Shakhtar Social Foundation of FC Shakhtar, local schools, municipalities, and certified coaches. These collaborations help communities work together and support the development of new local initiatives.