Rinat Akhmetov Foundation Brings Together Young People Who Have Returned from Occupation to Watch Shakhtar’s Champions League Match Together

In Kyiv, participants in the “Youth Chooses Ukraine” project watched the UEFA Champions League match between Donetsk’s Shakhtar and Greece’s AEK together with representatives of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation and the initiative’s partners. 

“We are watching football together with the project participants, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Foundation’s team. For these young people, this is an opportunity to return to Ukrainian football. This year, the Foundation’s logo is featured on Shakhtar’s jerseys throughout the European season,” explains Nataliia Yemchenko, Chair of the Foundation’s Supervisory Board.

The match against AEK is one of eight Champions League fixtures in which Shakhtar players will take to the pitch wearing jerseys bearing the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation logo. This is part of the cooperation between the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation and FC Shakhtar as part of the “Youth Chooses Ukraine” project. In this way, one of the world’s largest football platforms will help bring the stories of young Ukrainians who have left occupied territories to the attention of an international audience. 

“We are building a community. We want young people to meet and share their impressions of the project and of what is happening in their lives. Today is a wonderful opportunity simply to spend time together, talk, and cheer for Shakhtar. Shakhtar is a very important partner for us because, thanks to the club, you have the opportunity not only to attend matches but also to travel, meet new people, and share your stories abroad,” said Kseniia Sukhova, the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer.

For the project participants, the evening was a special occasion: after leaving the occupied territories, they were watching a football match together with like-minded people and cheering for their favourite team for the first time.

“It feels amazing. I lost my voice today. I watched the match with my friends. It was great. I was lucky enough to attend a Shakhtar match at Donbas Arena, but that was a long time ago,” says Danylo, a project participant.

“When you are in the same room, having fun and talking, you still exchange experiences and information, and somehow it becomes easier and more enjoyable to spend time together,” said Zlata, another project participant, sharing her impressions.
Partners in the “Youth Chooses Ukraine” project also joined the gathering and emphasised the importance of cooperation between the state, civil society, and sports organisations.

“This fully aligns with the values of this project. We are creating opportunities for young people to meet, spend time together, and communicate with representatives of different communities, such as those involved in sports or youth work. It is important now to understand what young people are interested in and offer it to a wider audience,” said Uliana Tokarieva, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.

Shakhtar’s victory brought the evening to a memorable close and gave the project participants unforgettable emotions. Sharing the excitement of the match and supporting their favourite team brought the young people even closer together. For them, gatherings like these are becoming an important part of returning to an active life in Ukraine.

“Youth Chooses Ukraine” is a pilot project by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine for young Ukrainians aged 18–23 who are returning from temporarily occupied territories or after unlawful deportation.