Our Erasmus project: PLAY FOR LIFE finally contributed to the development of empathy for all lifestyles using sports, games and physical activity as a life principle. Our team mainly focused on inclusion by using Physical Education classes and playgrounds where EVERYBODY has gotten a space to play. By developing this KA210 PROJECT we have achieved these aims: 1. We created European innovative approaches in our target group by using education and training programs taking into account individual needs and expectations. We have included participatory approaches and digital methodologies (online training program in Italy & North Macedonia) by integrating the needs of targets with few opportunities as well as new approaches to address social, ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity. 2/3. We succeeded by organizing a modern, dynamic, committed and professional environment inside this strong Erasmus team: we integrated good practices and new methods including digital capabilities into daily activities. We matched the five countries in a good European network and we worked with such a great environment, increasing the professionalism to work at EU/international level. 4. We increased the awareness in Sport and Physical Activities.
We have applied for this project in order to create a new educational approach related to Sports. When we applied , we decided to organize a European Team involving the following countries: Italy, Greece, North Macedonia, Portugal and Spain. The main reason for this KA210 project was fulfill this HORIZONTAL priority: Inclusion and diversity in all fields of education, training, youth and sport as well as Common values, civic engagement and participation.The need that we wanted to be addressed was to increase awareness of the role of sport in promoting social inclusion, equal opportunities and a healthy lifestyle. We focused on the psychological and social benefits of Sports. Health benefits of participation in physical activities are not limited to physical health but also incorporate mental components. Regular exercise may help with depression and anxiety by: releasing feel-good endorphins. Sport can and does have a great positive impact on the individual, the community, and the whole society. That is why sport should be taken seriously and strategies should be created for its wide representation. Sport also has a positive impact in the field of education: teamwork, perseverance, pr problem-solving skills, and self- confidence.