IURTS: Polish programme V4Sport, ‘Detective Meryl’ bring learning to life
Funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ programme, the project has been piloted in over 60 schools across Poland and Romania – where many Ukrainians migrated to as a result of the war – and supported 150 teachers to foster inclusivity and mutual understanding in the classroom through sports, play and storytelling.
After almost two years, the project has helped over 10,000 children to feel safe, included, and to build lasting friendships.
A Two-Way Learning Approach
In Poland, V4Sport took the lead in developing interactive, hands-on materials designed to help teachers create safe, inclusive, and engaging environments for children from different backgrounds.
Through a carefully designed story led by three fictional, charismatic characters – the Detective Meryl, her assistant Wattson and friend Krokiet, the materials introduced children to a series of challenges and puzzles they need to solve. Visit V4Sports’ project page to learn more, and watch a sample video of Detective Meryl’s mission.
As a backstory, Detective Meryl and Wattson embarked on monthly missions to decode ancient secrets and rescue Krokiet, who got locked in a mysterious place with a door secured by a strange code. The missions are more than just stories; they are designed to teach children essential skills, such as critical thinking and teamwork.
In a unique interview by Laureus Sport for Good, Detective Meryl explained how problem solving in the fictional world helps the children in the real world.
“As a detective, I need to think logically and often deduce from very little information,” Detective Meryl explained. “Luckily, I always have a team of young detectives (kids) and together we brainstorm ideas. Teamwork is very important because it’s a source of support. But that’s not all. We work in the field, so we need to be quick, strong, and agile to overcome any obstacles we might face”.
This creative format not only kept students engaged but also encouraged them to work together, exploring each other’s cultures through interactive play. Polish and Ukrainian children learned about each other’s languages, histories and customs, which in turn helped Ukrainian children feel more comfortable in their new environment. For many Polish students, their knowledge of Ukraine was limited to news about the ongoing conflict. This initiative offered them a fresh perspective, showing them the beauty and richness of Ukraine.
"What pleases me most is that Polish children were able to learn something interesting about Ukraine,” an elementary school teacher from Warsaw said. “Until now, their only association with Ukraine has been war. They were not aware of Ukraine's rich cultural heritage."
Fostering Physical and Social Skills Through Activities
Physical activity played a crucial role. Each detective challenge was designed to develop key social and physical skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. The programme included a range of activities like designing a class logo or engaging in the popular “Would You Rather” game, which allowed children to express their preferences, discover shared interests, and have fun in the process.
“What I enjoyed most was playing the game ‘Would You Rather?’ because there were sometimes funny exercises, and there was a lot of laughter,” recalled Maja, an 8-year-old participant. Nikola, also 8, added, “I enjoyed that there were games we all played together, and there were many funny moments, like passing the falling broom to each other in all sorts of difficult ways.”
These activities, filled with fun and teamwork, were instrumental in helping children form meaningful connections that transcended cultural divides, making integration a natural part of the school day. Jolanta Makowska-Wróbel, a first-grade teacher in Świdnica, praised the programme, noting, "The project diversified our school activities, developed various skills in the children, and fostered their integration."
The biggest barrier for Ukrainian children to integrate in Polish schools has been language. But the IURTS project specifically tackled this issue by emphasizing movement as a universal language that everyone, regardless of their native tongue, can understand.
The detective missions incorporate movement-based games and tasks, which make it easier for children to connect, communicate, and bond, but also to learn. Visual aids, music, and screen graphics further supported the understanding, making sure that language barriers don’t stand in the way of friendship and teamwork.
“Movement is a universal language of communication and self-expression,” Detective Meryl commented. “It is easy to imitate and doesn’t require knowledge of any language—it doesn’t matter where you come from. Through physical activity, children can express themselves without needing words. Movement is often accompanied by play, providing a pleasant context that children associate with positive feelings. All children love to play, and that connects them. Movement also brings joy and supports well-being, which can help Ukrainian children feel safer in making friends”.
The detective missions were also designed for teachers to be instrumental in supporting the children. Teachers were provided with self-explained offline materials and activity ideas to help keep students engaged in the spirit of Detective Meryl’s missions, even after the project concludes. By nurturing the bonds formed during these adventures, teachers play a crucial role in embedding the lessons of the IURTS project into daily classroom life, helping students carry these positive experiences forward.
“Teachers can encourage the connections that form and remind students of the importance of teamwork,” Meryl explained.
A Lasting Legacy of Unity and Understanding
As the Integration of Ukrainian Refugee Children Through Sport project reaches its conclusion, its impact is clear: over 8,000 Polish and Ukrainian children have learned to embrace each other’s cultures, respect their differences, and build friendships that transcend language barriers. Through the engaging and imaginative world of Detective Meryl, children have developed essential life skills—problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience—while learning to appreciate the rich cultural landscape of their neighboring countries.
“We’re all part of one team, and together, we’re stronger. When we work as a team, there’s no mystery we can’t solve,” Detective Meryl reflected.
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