ESSF Hosts Partners of the TEAM-EU-UA Project

On July 10–11, 2025, the European School Sport Federation (ESSF) hosted a transnational meeting of the project “Development of Team Spirit for the Implementation and Incorporation of EU Values in Ukraine” (TEAM-EU-UA), co-funded by the European Union. The meeting was held in Brussels, Belgium.
The main goals of the meeting were to strengthen cooperation among partners, evaluate the activities carried out so far, monitor the dissemination plan, and strategically coordinate the next phases of the project implementation.

The event took place in a constructive and collaborative atmosphere and featured key presentations by ESSF representatives:

  • Stylianos Daskalakis, Secretary General of ESSF, emphasized the role of sport and education in promoting and fostering European values.
  • Gorica Bilak-Moconja, Sports Director, presented ongoing project activities and shared best practices.
  • Miloš Zirić, Project Coordinator, outlined the next implementation steps and highlighted the importance of teamwork and synergy among partners.

Ukrainian project partners included:

  • NGO “YOUTH. SCIENCE. SPORT. HEALTHY MOVEMENT OF UKRAINE”,

  • The Ukrainian Federation of School Sports, and

  • Sumy State Pedagogical University named after A.S. Makarenko.

Project coordinator Iaroslav Galan, together with Anna Greba, Yulia Bondarenko, and Anastasia Komerzan, presented the achievements and challenges of the Ukrainian side and stressed the value of such meetings for enhancing their organizations’ capacities within the European context.
Partners from Poland – INSTYTUT ROZWOJU SPORTU I EDUKACJI, represented by Piotr Kociszewski, actively contributed to the meeting by sharing their experiences in international projects and supporting cross-sectoral cooperation for the integration of EU values.

The meeting also included a visit to the European Parliament, where participants attended a session focused on the core values of the European Union, with particular reference to their relevance for Ukraine. In addition, partners visited the European Commission, one of the EU’s key institutions supporting education and youth through programs such as Erasmus+.

The gathering concluded with the symbolic raising of the Erasmus+ Ukraine flag — a powerful gesture of unity, partnership, and Ukraine’s active involvement in the European education and sport space.

Alongside the official program, informal discussions further strengthened mutual understanding, built trust, and contributed to a clearer definition of each partner’s role in achieving the project’s objectives.

ESSF remains committed to promoting European values through sport and education and to empowering young people to take an active role in shaping an inclusive, open, and united Europe.