The project “Polsko-Ukraińskie Regionalne Adaptacyjne Centra – VOL. 3”
Academician Stepan Demianchuk International University of Economics and Humanities, together with partners from Ukraine, has received a grant for the third time to implement an international grant project within the framework of the Polish RITA program.
The project “Polsko-Ukraińskie Regionalne Adaptacyjne Centra – VOL. 3”, covering Lviv, Rivne, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Ternopil, and Zaporizhzhia, is being implemented with the support of Stowarzyszenie AZS WSG w Bydgoszczy.
The aim of the project is to develop a network of academic centers that support mental health, physical activity, and social integration of people from high-risk groups. The project is co-financed under the “RITA – Przemiany w regionie” program (the “RITA 2.0 – Partnerstwo do potęgi 2025” competition), implemented by Fundacja Edukacja dla Demokracji with funds from the Polish-American Freedom Foundation.
The main partner from Poland is Stowarzyszenie AZS WSG, and WSG Bydgoszcz University is a partner supporting the project.
Details about the partners: https://fed.org.pl/
PARTNERS from UKRAINE
1. Ivan Bobersky Lviv State University of Physical Culture (Lviv)
Coordinator: Prof. Yurii Briskin
2. Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture (Kharkiv)
Coordinator: Prof. Kateryna Mulyk
3. Academician Stepan Demianchuk International University of Economics and Humanities (Rivne)
Coordinator: Igor Petruk
4. National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine (Kyiv)
Coordinator: Prof. Olena Andreieva
5. Zaporizhzhia National University (Zaporizhzhia)
Coordinator: Prof. Valeriia Tyshchenko
6. West Ukrainian National University (Ternopil)
Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Roman Gakh
Project implementation period:
Project start date: January 1, 2026
Project end date: September 30, 2027
Project implementation stages
1. Training of staff of Polish-Ukrainian Adaptation Centers in Poland (Bydgoszcz): January – March 2026.
2. Operation of the network of Polish-Ukrainian Adaptation Centers: April 2026 – September 2027.
PROJECT RESULTS
1. Training of 18 teachers, therapists, and coordinators from six Ukrainian universities in occupational therapy, adaptive games, and mental health support based on the Polish model.
2. Equipping 6 Polish-Ukrainian adaptation centers with therapeutic equipment, adaptive games, and diagnostic materials for regular classes and integration training.
3. Creation and effective functioning of a network of 6 university adaptation centers in Ukraine, which conduct regular classes for over 1,000 participants from vulnerable groups.
4. Holding a joint online conference and All-Ukrainian adaptation tournament in Kyiv with the participation of partners, university management, media, and representatives of Ukrainian ministries.
5. Signing a letter from rectors and partners to Ukrainian ministries recommending the implementation of the occupational therapy and mental health support model in other regions and universities of the country.
ACADEMIC MOBILITY PROGRAM:
Day 1: The Polish model of occupational therapy (activity therapy); the importance of adaptive games in rehabilitation and integration.
Day 2: Methods for working with mixed groups (children, people with disabilities, refugees).
Day 3: Psychological support and prevention of emotional disorders — master classes (workshops) at the WSG Academic Medical Center.
Day 4: Planning the center’s work, mentoring, assessment (evaluation), and promotion of activities.
Day 5: Practical sessions on adaptive games, development of plans for the centers, certification of participants.
Training will be conducted in a workshop format with small group work and numerous practical exercises. Participants will receive materials in Ukrainian: game instructions, evaluation forms, lesson plans, and diagnostic tests.
On the first and last days, pre- and post-tests will be conducted to assess the growth of knowledge and skills in the field of occupational therapy and psychological support. The results will The training will be conducted in a workshop format with small group work and numerous practical exercises.
Participants will receive materials in Ukrainian: game instructions, evaluation forms, lesson plans, and diagnostic tests. On the first and last days, pre- and post-tests will be conducted to assess the growth of knowledge and skills in the field of occupational therapy and psychological support. The results will form the basis for the preparation of an evaluation report for the grantor.
During their stay in Poland, participants will also visit the WSG Academic Medical Center, where they will learn about the practice of psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapy in working with people in crisis, as well as the system of interdisciplinary interaction in the therapist-doctor-educator format. Ukrainian delegations cover their own travel expenses, while accommodation, meals, materials, and organizational support for training are funded within the project.
Upon their return, the partners will implement new standards, conduct local training for students and volunteers, and prepare the centers for full operation. By the end of March 2026, all centers will be ready to implement activities within the network of Polish-Ukrainian Adaptation Centers.
INTERNATIONAL TRAINING OF THE MEG DELEGATION IN POLAND
During March 16 and 21, 2026 the delegation of IUEH, consisting of the program coordinator, sports medicine doctor, senior lecturer of the Department of Human Health and Physical Therapy Igor Petruk, the head of the Department of Human Health and Physical Therapy Olena Sirman, as well as the 3rd year student of the specialty “Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy” Vasyl Sokol, began studying in the city of Bydgoszcz (Poland) within the framework of the implementation of the international grant program “Project GRY UA RITA 2 DO POTEGY” and was on an internship in the city of Bydgoszcz (Poland).
The training was a combination of lectures and practical training. Participants of the international program not only learned about modern approaches, but also actively mastered practical skills in psychological support, as well as restoring sensorimotor functions using innovative equipment. 
The training was conducted by the main project implementer, the AZS WSG Society. Our partners from Ivan Bobersky Lviv State University of Physical Culture, Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture and Sports, Zaporizhzhia National University, the Kyiv National University of Physical Education and Sports, and the Ternopil Western Ukrainian National University also attended the training.
During the training, a significant place was occupied by the study of methods of psychotherapeutic assistance to persons affected by the war in Ukraine. Representatives of the IUEH got acquainted with the methodology of classes among groups of elderly people and took part in their implementation. There were also practical sessions on therapeutic and rehabilitation games, at which project participants from the IUEH shared their experience in conducting adaptive games and took practical part in training using new equipment. Also interesting were virtual stimulation workshops “Overcoming barriers to disability” and practical sessions using the Balance Board equipment, the Bosu platform. Based on the results of training and testing, the program participants received international certificates.
EXPERIENCE EXCHANGE WITHIN THE RITA PROJECT: RIVNE-TERNOPIL
As part of the implementation of the international project “Polish-Ukrainian Regional Adaptation Centers – Vol. 3”, a working visit of partners from the Western Ukrainian National University (Ternopil) to the Polish-Ukrainian Adaptation Center, which operates on the basis of IUEH in the city of Rivne, took place. The delegation included the project coordinator Roman Gakh, as well as teachers and students from the “Physical Culture and Sports” department.
Within the framework of the international RITA program, teachers of the Faculty of Health, Physical Education and Sports acted as mentors and presented the experience of the center and conducted a number of practical and theoretical events. In particular, an out-of-school training for people with disabilities using modern rehabilitation equipment was organized at the Oleksandrov Rehabilitation Clinic in Rivne.
The rich program of the delegation’s stay from Ternopil contributed not only to the exchange of experience, but also outlined the prospects for expanding the network of adaptation centers in Ukraine and improving the quality of the educational process in higher education institutions.
During academic mobility, the participants got acquainted with the scientific and material and technical base of the university and the Faculty of Health, Physical Education and Sports, which ensures high-quality training of specialists and the development of practical skills of students.
As part of the visit program, the head of the international and project department, Alina Kruhliak, made a presentation on the theoretical foundations of the project implementation and provided a number of useful tips on entering project documentation. At the same time, the dean of the faculty, Vadym Koval, shared information about the educational opportunities, structure and achievements of the faculty. The guests were particularly impressed by the unique university locations – the Geological Museum and the Museum of Peace.
The delegation not only visited the expositions, but also left their feedback in the guest book, noting the high level of organization and the cognitive value of the presented materials. Such a format of academic mobility contributes to the strengthening of inter-university cooperation, exchange of experience and the development of joint educational initiatives.
IUEH Continues Cooperation with Rehabilitation Centers within RITA Program
On May 20, 2026, as part of the implementation of the international grant program RITA, an outreach session of the Polish-Ukrainian Adaptation Center of IUEH took place at the municipal comprehensive rehabilitation center “Krok”.
The project is co-financed by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation and implemented by the Education for Democracy Foundation. The main project partner and organizer is the AZS WSG Association.
During the event, participants joined activities involving adaptive games and modern rehabilitation methods. Particular attention was drawn to an adaptive game using a balance hemisphere developed by specialists of the MEGU Adaptation Center. Such activities contribute to the development of coordination, motor skills, and emotional engagement in the rehabilitation process. The participants demonstrated great enthusiasm, positive energy, and successfully completed the tasks prepared by student volunteers from the Faculty of Health, Physical Culture and Sports of IUEH, specializing in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Therapy, and Rehabilitation.
The management of the “Krok” Rehabilitation Center expressed sincere gratitude for organizing the event and emphasized the importance of continuing such cooperation aimed at supporting patients in their recovery and rehabilitation.
The Polish-Ukrainian Adaptation Center of IUEH will continue implementing innovative approaches to adaptation and rehabilitation, bringing together international partners, professionals, and students to support people in need of assistance and recovery.