ISS focused on enhancing the skills of youth workers, trainers, and professionals to increase youth engagement across all social groups, including marginalised ones. We aimed to equip professionals with practical tools to implement innovative, sports-based approaches that foster youth participation. A key emphasis was placed on intercultural learning to promote tolerance and respect for diversity, enabling youth workers to create inclusive sports opportunities for youth from all backgrounds. The international collaboration allowed youth workers to exchange best practices and expertise with partner organisations and foreign professionals. Notably, Estonian partners introduced inclusive ethnic swings for individuals with mobility impairments, successfully demonstrated during the project's final phase. Throughout the project, youth workers and trainers developed skills in sports-based project management, transnational collaboration, clear communication, and risk management. By disseminating these innovative methods, the project promoted physical activity and its accessibility for a wider range of youth, supported by local interest and active engagement from the participating organisations.
The project prioritized building and enhancing youth resilience. Political and economic downturns, unemployment, intense competition, and rising mental health issues worsened by toxic social media, young people increasingly struggle with low self-esteem, with high risk of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. The applicant organization addresses such issues through engagement of youth in ethnic sports, that are accesible interactive and culturally uniting. By partnering with like-minded organizations, we aimed to build resilience and confidence through non-formal sports education, involving youth workers, sports trainers, and professionals. Goals included educating youth workers on international methods to build positive relationships and increase student engagement in and through sports, as well as improving community well-being and adapting sports for youth with disabilities to ensure inclusion and equity. As a result, a descriptive handbook was developed to summarise the findings and methodology of every experienced partner, sports professional and youth worker. With illustrations and istructions, it assists workers and youth in practising and spreading ethnic Baltic and Turkish sports.