Shakhtar Social received a grant from EFC and EA SPORTS FC
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
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International organisations recognised the contribution of FC Shakhtar’s charitable foundation to the development of children’s football in Ukraine
On March 25, European Football Clubs (EFC), with the support of EA SPORTS FC, announced three winners of the Symbol of Change 2026 grant programme, each receiving EUR 100,000 to implement transformative community initiatives that use the power of football for positive social impact across Europe.
As part of the programme, FC Shakhtar’s charitable foundation Shakhtar Social (Ukraine), along with the foundations of Samsunspor (Türkiye) and Club Brugge (Belgium), were selected as recipients of the Symbol of Change 2026 grants for projects demonstrating how football can address pressing social challenges in their communities – from inclusion and education to gender equality and grassroots football development. The awarded initiatives were presented at the EFC Club Connect event in Lisbon, highlighting that clubs of different scales have a significant impact beyond the pitch.
The Shakhtar Social charitable foundation received a grant to implement the LingoBall project, which combines football training with gamified language learning to support young people in Ukraine. The platform, designed for more than 1,200 children aged 7–12, integrates motion-tracking technology with interactive English language exercises carried out during football training sessions.
Andrii Babeshko, Director of Shakhtar Social CO:
– LingoBall combines football, technology and the learning of English, making education a natural part of every training session. Our mission is to give Ukrainian children not only sporting skills, but also the tools for a confident future.
According to the event organisers, all three projects demonstrate how football can help address important social issues and reflect the ambition of the EFC and EA SPORTS FC partnership – to ensure alignment between the scale of football and its impact.
Charlie Marshall, ECA Chief Executive:
– The Symbol of Change grants are aimed at recognising clubs that use the platform of football to genuinely improve people’s lives. Shakhtar Social, Samsunspor and Club Brugge Foundation are three strong examples of how football can drive progress – from supporting women and young people to strengthening the foundations of the game at community level.
As part of the programme, FC Shakhtar’s charitable foundation Shakhtar Social (Ukraine), along with the foundations of Samsunspor (Türkiye) and Club Brugge (Belgium), were selected as recipients of the Symbol of Change 2026 grants for projects demonstrating how football can address pressing social challenges in their communities – from inclusion and education to gender equality and grassroots football development. The awarded initiatives were presented at the EFC Club Connect event in Lisbon, highlighting that clubs of different scales have a significant impact beyond the pitch.
The Shakhtar Social charitable foundation received a grant to implement the LingoBall project, which combines football training with gamified language learning to support young people in Ukraine. The platform, designed for more than 1,200 children aged 7–12, integrates motion-tracking technology with interactive English language exercises carried out during football training sessions.
Andrii Babeshko, Director of Shakhtar Social CO:
– LingoBall combines football, technology and the learning of English, making education a natural part of every training session. Our mission is to give Ukrainian children not only sporting skills, but also the tools for a confident future.
According to the event organisers, all three projects demonstrate how football can help address important social issues and reflect the ambition of the EFC and EA SPORTS FC partnership – to ensure alignment between the scale of football and its impact.
Charlie Marshall, ECA Chief Executive:
– The Symbol of Change grants are aimed at recognising clubs that use the platform of football to genuinely improve people’s lives. Shakhtar Social, Samsunspor and Club Brugge Foundation are three strong examples of how football can drive progress – from supporting women and young people to strengthening the foundations of the game at community level.