--- title: "BTN Foundation and Shakhtar Social Launch BTN:Start — a Network of Amputee Football Centers for Veterans" description: "BTN Foundation and Shakhtar Social are launching BTN:Start — a network of amputee football centers for veterans and civilians with amputations. The first locations will open in Bila Tserkva, Bilohorodka, and Irpin." date: 2026-08-27T11:28:04.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/btn-start-amputee-football-centers-for-veterans tags: [btn-foundation, shakhtar-social, amputee-football, veterans, inclusive-sport, ukraine] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # BTN Foundation and Shakhtar Social Launch BTN:Start — a Network of Amputee Football Centers for Veterans ![Logo of the BTN:Start project — a network of amputee football support centres by BTN Foundation and Shakhtar Social](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/27/btn-start-centry-ampfutbola-dlya-veteranov/btn-start-centry-ampfutbola-dlya-veteranov-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - BTN Foundation, together with Shakhtar Social, is launching the BTN:Start project — a network of amputee football centers for veterans and civilians with amputations or limb function impairments. - The first locations are opening in Bila Tserkva, Bilohorodka, and Irpin; the contact phone number for registration is +380 67 673 4542. - The project includes not only training and equipment but also a social program: match watchings, simulator tournaments, and family evenings. - This is the first joint initiative of the two funds; Shakhtar Social draws on its experience with centers in Chernihiv and Mykolaiv. The BTN Foundation charity fund has announced the launch of the BTN:Start project — a network of amputee football support centers aimed at veterans and civilians with amputations or limb function impairments. The initiative is being implemented jointly with the Shakhtar Social charity fund and has become the first joint program of the two organizations for the development of adaptive and inclusive sports in Ukraine. As envisioned by the organizers, the centers are meant to serve as a gateway to an active life: here, anyone who wishes can get acquainted with the specifics of amputee football, try out a training session, receive the necessary equipment and kit, and get support from coaches and specialized professionals. ### What is BTN:Start and how the centers are organized BTN:Start is not a one-off event, but a system of permanently operating locations where sport serves as a tool for rehabilitation and social integration. As emphasized by BTN Foundation, the most difficult stage for participants is usually the very start, when a person does not yet believe in their own abilities. Therefore, the centers' format is designed so that there is always someone nearby to support the first step and to remain present going forward. "It is important to us that a person returns here for the feeling of being part of a team, and a good result will surely follow," the foundation noted. Thus, the project focuses not only on physical activity but also on psychological recovery and the formation of a community of like-minded people. ### New locations: Bila Tserkva, Bilohorodka, and Irpin The first BTN:Start centers are opening in Bila Tserkva, Bilohorodka, and Irpin. Distributing them across several settlements has practical significance: it becomes easier for veterans and civilians to join training near their homes, to train regularly, and without long commutes. In addition, the local network allows participants to meet representatives of other centers during friendly matches and joint events. For questions about joining training in the mentioned cities, the organizers provided a contact phone number: +380 67 673 4542. ### Social program and the role of partners In addition to sports activities, the centers have an extensive social program planned: joint watchings of football matches, tournaments on sports simulators, and family evenings, during which players will be able to spend time with their loved ones. Entrepreneur and IT investor Roman Balashov, commenting on the initiative, noted that for veterans, a return to an active life is not only physical recovery but also a return of self-confidence, the search for like-minded people and new opportunities. In his words, such projects create an accessible environment in which sport becomes a point of support and helps move forward. ### Shakhtar Social's experience and systemic partnership At Shakhtar Social, they emphasized that the organization already has successful experience implementing similar projects in Chernihiv and Mykolaiv, and the team understands how important and at the same time difficult it is for people to return to an active life after severe injuries. "We have enough experience to prepare everything necessary for the operation of amputee football centers, the recruitment of specialists, and the start of training," said Myroslava Pinda, project manager at Shakhtar Social. It is precisely this experience, in her words, that became the basis for joining forces with BTN Foundation to expand rehabilitation and sports opportunities in other cities of Ukraine. ### Context: state support for veterans The launch of BTN:Start takes place against the backdrop of a broader policy of support for defenders: earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new program of assistance for veterans, under which the Cabinet of Ministers is to develop amendments redirecting state and local resources toward more effective support. In this logic, private and public initiatives such as BTN:Start complement state mechanisms, forming a sustainable ecosystem of rehabilitation through adaptive sport. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [The BTN:Start project for veterans: details of the sports initiative from BTN Foundation and Shakhtar Social](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/proekt-btn-start-veteraniv-detali-sportivnoyi-1787822770.html) - Подтверждает суть проекта, список локаций (Белая Церковь, Белогородка, Ирпень), цитаты представителей фондов и контактный телефон. - [BTN Foundation and Shakhtar Social presented BTN:Start — a project that will help veterans return to an active ...](https://ukranews.com/news/1171347-fond-bbtn-i-shakhtar-social-predstavili-btn-start-proekt-kotoryj-pomozhet-veteranam-vernutsya-k) - Независимое подтверждение запуска проекта и партнёрства BTN Foundation с Shakhtar Social. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What is BTN:Start? **A:** BTN:Start is a network of amputee football support centers for veterans and civilians with amputations or limb function impairments, where you can train, receive equipment and kit, and get support from specialists. ### Q: In which cities are the centers opening? **A:** The first locations are opening in Bila Tserkva, Bilohorodka, and Irpin. You can register by phone at +380 67 673 4542. ### Q: Who is implementing the project? **A:** The project is launched by the BTN Foundation charity fund and the Shakhtar Social fund; this is their first joint initiative for the development of amputee football in Ukraine.