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INCLUSIVE SPORTS

2022-1-IE01-KA152-YOU-0000520302022Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: IE|GE · Grant: €21,481
Inclusion of marginalised young peoplePhysical and mental health, well-beingCreativity, arts and culture

Objectives

We carried out surveys and interviews with our youth during the COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions online ( Snap Chat, Zoom, and WhatsApp group) for 15 months. The findings show that Young people express the need to socially interact with their peers in a non-virtual environment because they feel isolated and depressed due to home confinement, 98% of them want to take part in fun sports activities that will entail an element that brings them together promoting inclusion, laughter, and social integration. Their idea was supported by our partners and our 19 parents from our youth club committee (parents of the Irish group involved in this project) stated, " ...with this Covid-19 restrictions, our children spent too many times isolated in their room and alone on their phones on the internet, some even put on weight, etc... This Eramus+ Sport project can aid in weight management while helping them to learn how to connect with real friends" also said, "...group fun physical activities help reduce risks of mental health issues associated with being isolated..." On an Irish Examiner Newspapers, it was mentioned that "Young people eating more junk food and exercising less due to Covid-19 https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40060313.html The Irish Department of Health's National physical activity guidelines "Be Well" updated in July 2020, recommend young people to be active at least 60 minutes per day (https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/06de8b-be-well/#physical-activity-guidelines). However, due to Global Pandemic COVID-19 lockdowns, & travel restrictions most youth stayed at homes without engaging in physical activities. At the Zoom and WhatsApp interviews young people stated that they wanted their idea to have elements that will promote active citizenship; playful physical exercises, cognitive/personal development, critical thinking, concentration, Inclusion through sports, and intercultural dialogue. We believe this is in alignment with Erasmus+ 2021-2027 program objectives, and the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027. This project is an initiative of young people. - This Project seeks to bring more youngsters with fewer opportunities including those with financial difficulties, Asylum seekers, mental health difficulties, refugees, those living in isolated & disadvantaged rural areas among others in the Erasmus+ field. The project seeks to give the opportunity to the Ireland newcomers, those who cannot travel, and the undocumented the chance to participate in an EU Youth Exchange(YE). This comes as the result of our previous youth exchanges success, the youth with fewer opportunities who cannot travel (asylum seekers, refugees, etc...) due to their residential status in Ireland asked us that they wanted to attend an Eramus+ youth exchange and learn more about other EU cultures and make friends since they cannot travel. -Some young people from Ireland took part in the youth exchange "Get Active, Get Involved" which took place in Abovyan, Armenia in July 2018, it involved Sports activities: Cycling, Water guns teambuilding games, Swimming, Hip Hop dancing, etc... . It was in this YE they meet with the Georgians team. The Georgians became curious to know more about Ireland, culture (Irish games and Hurling in particular) and heritage, how we have embraced diversity, etc. On the other hand, the Irish participants were so much attracted to the games and sporting activities of the exchange and amazed by the locals' reaction. Both groups meet and came up with an idea to meet again with another subject to meet the needs of both groups this time in Ireland. So during the Covid-19 period, the group brought the idea to the Irish and Georgian leaders hence, we are supporting them in developing their project. The youngsters involved in developing this project include those with fewer opportunities, financial difficulties, mental health difficulties, refugees, those living in isolated & disadvantaged rural areas among others. The specific objectives are: -To bring more youngsters with fewer opportunities including those with financial difficulties, Asylum seekers, etc... those living in isolated & disadvantaged rural areas among others in the Erasmus+ field. -To raise awareness of Environmentally Friendly Sports games, and physical activities that promote social inclusion and well-being. --To promote EU values through a non-formal educational approach: youth-led, youth-centered playful sports activities that promote social inclusion. - To exchange good practices in the field of non-formal education through sports and further build up organizational capacities. - Enhance the visibility of Erasmus+ programs and help participants develop their competencies and be certified with a Youth Pass. - Strengthen young people's interpersonal skills through informal/nonformal learning methods and improve key competencies & transferable skills.

Project partners (2)