Join the EU Open Day: Play football with refugees and learn how EU helps the people fleeing war in Ukraine

The EU Open Day will take place on Saturday, 7 May 2022. EU institutions open their doors and organise workshops, information stands, and interactive activities for anyone who is curious to learn how the EU works and what it does for its citizens.

Ask experts about migration and join sport activities

This year, visitors can explore five thematic “villages": youth, green, digital, health and general EU information. There will also be a dedicated stand on the EU’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including the explanation of the Temporary Protection Directive.

DG HOME volunteers await at the “Youth Village” and have prepared three unique stands related to migration in the EU.  

1. Football as a powerful inclusion tool

Streetfootballworld is a project co-funded by the EU. It helps third-country nationals to integrate into society by playing football with young people from host EU countries. Visitors will have the opportunity to:

• speak with project organisers and learn how football is a powerful inclusion tool
• join Streetfooballworld coaches on the football pitch outside the Berlaymont building to participate in fun sport activities and to play a football match based on the methodology football3

2. Protecting refugee children

Visitors can ask experts from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) how the asylum procedure works, especially details concerning refugee children. Presentations will include interactive infographics and video-animations.

3. Temporary protection explained

People fleeing the war in Ukraine have the right to temporary protection in the EU. This includes the right to residency, housing, health care, accommodation, education and access to the labour market. You can ask experts from DG Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) and from the European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA) how temporary protection works.

Come to Brussels or follow the event online

Join the EU Open Day in Brussels:

• Where: European Commission headquarters - Berlaymont building, Rue de la Loi 200, 1049 Brussels, Belgium
• When: Saturday 7 May, from 10.00 to 18.00

No tickets or registration required. The event is suitable for families with children.

NOTICE: If you do not wish to be photographed or videoed during the event, please request a lanyard at the entrance of the Commission building. More information on the privacy statement.

In case you cannot visit the EU Open Day in Brussels, you can follow the event through live broadcasts and Instagram Live from the Youth Village.