KYIV, UKRAINE – On May 19, at UNIT.City, the teams of Rating Lab and Sociological Group "Rating" (Rating Group) participated in the presentation of "Carpathian Shift," a project aimed at restoring the mental and physical health of children from frontline regions. Ihor Tyshchenko, founder of Rating Group and Rating Lab, and Marianna Tkalyk, CEO of Rating Lab, who presented the research results on changes in children's mental health and well-being during wartime, attended the event.

The "Carpathian Shift" project is organized by regional military administrations and the Ukrainian Association of Football with the support of the President of Ukraine. In June, 1,700 children aged 9–12 from Zakarpattia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi regions will participate in camps featuring team sports, group activities, and socialization, with the involvement of Ukrainian football representatives. 

The analytical basis for the project was a study by Rating Lab / Rating Group – its results were presented at the event by Marianna Tkalyk, CEO of Rating Lab and Doctor of Psychological Sciences,  Marianna Tkalyk.

The research data show that while 28% of children experienced elevated or high stress levels in 2024, this figure is projected to reach 37% by the end of 2025. Physical activity combined with communication and group formats is one of the important resources for supporting mental health, reducing stress, and building resilience in children. However, a challenge exists: one in four children hardly engages in sports.

“We are very pleased that the research results have become the foundation for developing such an important program as "Carpathian Shift." We hope that as many children as possible from frontline regions will be able to participate, as this will foster stress resilience, contribute to their mental well-being, and support their physical development,” - Marianna Tkalyk, CEO Rating Lab

During the panel discussion, the Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Viktor Mykyta and the President of the Ukrainian Association of Football Andriy Shevchenko emphasized the importance of the research results for developing practical solutions at national and regional levels.

“This is a very important study, containing many specific messages and points that are crucial for communities to hear and understand. For example, we think we know how children think and feel. But that's a mistake – children perceive all of this differently [...] Our task is to understand what children truly think and to create developmental programs for them. High intellect and education are one direction. But there's also a second direction, because everything starts with movement; it's the foundation for our [health],” – Viktor Mykyta, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine

“From the research, we see that sport is a stress reliever for both children and adults; for boys and for girls. [...] It is very important to unite efforts not only within the context of this project – it is crucial to collectively build sports infrastructure comprehensively,” – Andriy Shevchenko, President of UAF