UPLAYS is an international programme supporting the integration of Ukrainian youth through sport, language learning, and employment education. The programme has been running in Austria since 2025 August and is supported by the European Social Fund Plus, responding to the social consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Click here to view the page in Ukrainian.
📍 Location update
From 8 January 2026, the full UPLAYS programme in Austria — including language learning, employment workshops, and sport sessions — will take place at the Train of Hope Community Centre, replacing the previous location at Sportcenter Donaucity.
- When: Every Thursday | 16:00–20:00 launching January 8, 2026
- Where: Community Center Train of Hope, Vienna (3rd floor, door on the right side)
- Who: FREE participation for young Ukrainians up to 30 years old
- Registration: https://forms.gle/BHkyLvSYQbNgeAG66
What is UPLAYS?
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, providing them with a year-long programme!
What You’ll Get
Each session includes three parts (app. 45 min long) — come for all or just the ones you need:
- 🇩🇪 German Language Practice
Build real-life conversation skills and get more comfortable navigating daily life in Austria.
Complementary to formal language courses. - 💼 Employment Workshops
Learn how to write a CV, prepare for interviews, find jobs, and understand Austrian workplace culture. - 🏃♀️ Sports & Activities
Stay active, have fun, and meet new people through inclusive group games and physical activities.
All activities are led by qualified trainers, instructors, and youth workers who speak Ukrainian and German. Beyond the structured sessions, UPLAYS also creates space for informal exchange and social connection, allowing participants to relax, talk, and get to know each other in a welcoming environment.
Importantly, participants themselves are actively involved in shaping the programme to ensure it reflects their real needs and expectations. We are always happy to hear your suggestions — whether it’s topics you would like to learn more about, activities you’d like to try, or ideas that could make the programme even better.
What is the upcoming schedule?
| 19.3.2026 | Local Dialects and Everyday Expressions + Exploring Self-employment and Startups + Pilates | Train of Hope, 3. Floor |
| 26.3.2026 | Digital Communication and Social Media + Workplace communication in practice + Special Easter event | Train of Hope, 3. Floor |
| 2.4.2026 | Healthcare Beyond the Doctor + Adapting to multinational workplace environments + Sports TBD | Train of Hope, 3. Floor |
| 9.4.2026 | Leisure Activities and Sports + Career coaching: A session to refine career strategies + Sports TBD | Train of Hope, 3. Floor |
| 16.4.2026 | Food and Cooking + Practical job application workshop + Sports TBD | TBD |
| 23.4.2026 | Housing Issues and Repairs + Job application and interview practice, job search with AI + Sports TBD | TBD |
| 30.4.2026 | Banking in Depth + Continued job application support + Sports TBD | TBD |
| 7.5.2026 | Environmental Awareness and Recycling + Resume refinement and job matching + Sports TBD | TBD |
| 14.5.2026 | Civic Participation and Voting Basics + Interview preparation + Sports TBD | TBD |
| 21.5.2026 | Expressing Needs, Refusals, and Boundaries + Simulated job fair with role-played employers + Sports TBD | TBD |
| 28.5.2026 | Reading Signs and Notices Expressions + Mentorship sessions: guidance from industry professionals + Sports TBD | TBD |
Why Join UPLAYS?
UPLAYS is a free weekly program designed for young Ukrainians (up to 30 years old) living in Austria. Whether you’re just getting started or already settling in, UPLAYS offers a supportive space to improve your German, gain job-related skills, stay physically active, and make new friends. It’s a place to grow, connect, and feel more confident in your life in Austria.
Introducing the UPLAYS Curriculums: Language, Employment & Sport
As part of the UPLAYS programme, we have developed three comprehensive one-year curriculums designed to support young people in their integration, personal growth, and overall well-being. Each curriculum includes 50 carefully structured lessons and can be used not only within UPLAYS, but also adapted for other educational programmes.
The three curriculums cover:
Designed for youth workers, trainers, lecturers, teachers, and other professionals, the curriculums provide ready-to-use lesson plans enriched with non-formal education methods—a key pillar of the entire set. These activities make the learning process more interactive, motivating, and engaging for young participants.
Each curriculum also includes age-appropriate and level-appropriate adaptations. For example, the language curriculum offers adjustments based on learners’ German proficiency, while the employment curriculum is divided into three age groups to ensure that the content and approach always fit the needs and realities of the participants.
How To Register?
Please complete the following registration. You will receive confirmation and more information via email: https://forms.gle/BHkyLvSYQbNgeAG66
How to find us?
Every Thursday, we meet at Community Center Train of Hope, starting at 16:00. When you arrive at the community centre, go straight ahead to the elevator and take it to the 3rd floor. After exiting the elevator, turn right, enter through the door and continue straight ahead — you will find the UPLAYS sessions there.
If you need assistance, you can ask the Ukrainian-speaking reception staff for directions by mentioning the UPLAYS programme or Active Austria, and they will be happy to help.
The Community Center can be accessed via a short walk from either the U4 or the U6 metro stops (Gumpendorfer Straße, Längenfeldgasse), but alternative routes also exist.
Stay Connected
More information about how to join the program or support our work will be available soon. Follow us on Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp and Facebook, check back here regularly, and stay in touch – because integration can be active, meaningful, and even fun!
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.