We are proud to present our new international project – UPLAYS, which aims to support the integration of Ukrainian youth across Austria, Latvia, and Slovakia through sport, language learning, and employment education. Supported by the European Social Fund Plus, UPLAYS responds directly to the social consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Based on the success of a similar project in Latvia, UPLAYS now enters a new phase of European-level implementation, with Austria as one of its key partners.
UPLAYS is designed for Ukrainian young people aged up to 30 years old who are currently living in Austria. The goal is to help them become active participants in their host societies through:
- German language courses to strengthen communication and confidence, helping them to integrate in Austria
- Sports activities to promote teamwork, fitness, and mental well-being
- Employment-focused workshops to develop practical skills such as CV writing, interview techniques, and digital competencies
What Will Happen in Austria?
In Austria, the UPLAYS program will offer:
- 50 sports training sessions
- 50 German language lessons
- 50 job readiness workshops
All activities will be led by qualified trainers, instructors, and youth workers. Importantly, participants themselves will be involved in shaping the program to ensure it fits their real needs and expectations.
Before launching the program, our trainers and staff will participate in a study visit to Riga to learn from the successful implementation of the Latvian model and exchange knowledge with our partners.
UPLAYS focuses not only on short-term support but also on long-term social inclusion and empowerment. It aims to build a scalable model that can be transferred to other EU countries, promoting the exchange of good practices in social innovation and refugee integration.
Key outcomes include:
- Improved physical and mental well-being
- Increased language proficiency
- Enhanced job-related skills and employability
- Greater capacity for social inclusion and active participation
Stay Connected
More information about how to join the program or support our work will be available soon. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, check back here regularly, and stay in touch – because integration can be active, meaningful, and even fun!
