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Utilization of Sport in Context of Youth Work

2021-2-CY02-KA153-YOU-0000389252021Mobility of youth workersfinalizedGood practice
Countries: CY|DE|RS|MK|PL|ES|SI · Grant: €24,356
Physical and mental health, well-beingCommunity developmentDigital literacy, Information, constructive dialogue, fakenews

Objectives

Ever since the appearance of the coronavirus living status quo changed radically for many people across the globe. The outbreak of the global coronavirus pandemic has caused many challenges world-wide on all health, social and economic levels with the daily safety measurements as necessary as they are being in the spot light of the problem such as social distancing and travel bans and restrictions. Due to the fact that coronavirus leads to an infectious disease Covid-19 it was evident that the youth work and mobility Erasmus+ projects will inevitably be affected and will have to be redefined to some extent. Difficulties to travel and ever present health concerns physically paused youth mobility for a period of time. The uncertainty is testing both international youth co-operation and implementation of Erasmus+ program across Europe at the moment in time when they are heavily needed, with so many raising issue on the daily basis. The development and growth of the young individuals is threatened and this definitely reflects on their participation in sports. What does gives us hope is recent trend of fans almost fully returning to sports stadiums and arenas. However, grass-root sports are affected the most since one of the major limitations imposed was no contact between the young people or their trainings were reduced by time and size of the group. We have witnessed not only international competition being suspended, postponed or cancelled but also all youth age categories national championships being excluded from the yearly schedule. We found it to be necessary to engage as many young people in sports again as soon as the circumstances allow. The need for reinforcement of positive effects of sports is ever present. Self-expression, self-confidence, tension relief, social interaction, teamworking, sense of achievement, general integration within a group as well as spirit of solidarity and fair play are just some of the positive aspects that one could observe sports from. These aspects help offset harm and risks caused by demanding, competitive, stressful and sedentary lives of young people nowadays. In our opinion, sports as a tool can help individuals overcome or at least minimize the psycho-socio consequences of the pandemic. Sports is undeniably bringing joy and fun in people’s lives, it is also alleviating the negative effects of the traumas as well as empowering communities to bridge differences and stand together in solidarity. The main aim of our project is to equip youth workers with knowledge and skills of how to utilize the dynamics of sport and physical activity as tools to increase active participation, for inclusion of young people in society with a main focus on the youth with fewer opportunities. The objectives of the project were: • To promote and explain the concepts ‘sports for all’ and ‘healthy lifestyle’ in relation to youth work • To share our empirical experience with inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities in our communities and different youth work programmes • To discuss and comprehend basic concepts, values and principles of inclusion and teamwork • To explore the youth work and youth trainings in connection to inclusion/acceptance • To improve capabilities in organizing quality youth work by using organizational methodology within sport, systems of competition and sports hierarchy • To share various sports training methods which can be translated into youth work in daily operations with all youngsters regardless of their background and level of present opportunities • To share and understand challenges in implementation of quality sport methods in youth work for inclusion and intercultural acceptance of young people with fewer opportunities • To improve capabilities for adaptation of sport methods for NFE/youth work for inclusion and acceptance of young people with fewer opportunities • To define and develop basic plans for local/national workshops of youth workers and youngsters by utilizing sports training methods as tools for inclusion, that are to be held by our participants in the follow-up phase of the training course • To establish significant community of youth trainers and workers for inclusion related youth sports work

Project partners (7)