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Diversity in Action: United in Sport

2025-1-PT02-KA152-YOU-0002989932025Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: PT|LT|RS|BG|ES|IT · Grant: €52,328
Inclusion of marginalised young peoplePhysical and mental health, well-beingEqual access and transition to labour market

Objectives

Sport facilitates deep social connections, transcending age and gender, while promoting overall well-being, encompassing both physical and mental health. A crucial factor in empowering young people at risk of marginalisation is the development of education, communication, negotiation, and leadership skills. In the European context, sport — whether at a professional level or as a recreational activity — is increasingly recognised as a rapidly growing economic sector, essential for creating opportunities for development, employment, and, above all, inclusion and diversity. The European Commission has demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity through sport, as outlined in the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Inclusion and Diversity Strategy, as well as in the EU Work Plan for Sport (2021–2024). The document Sport’s Challenge for Social Inclusion and Awareness-Raising against Discrimination highlights sport as a key field for promoting values such as tolerance, respect, cooperation, and friendship. In Portugal, several policies have been adopted to improve social inclusion, such as the National Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. In response, the project “Diversity in Action: United in Sport” emerged, aiming to promote a more united Europe by empowering communities with the skills needed to achieve a more equal society. This initiative focused on strengthening European citizens by using sport as a tool for exchanging experiences and fostering critical thinking, encouraging an active role in addressing inequalities that transcend borders. At the same time, global challenges, such as ongoing conflicts, highlight the urgency of equipping young people with tools to mitigate the present and future impacts of such crises. The project sought to comprehensively address participants’ needs through a personalised and adaptable approach. Before designing the activities, an in-depth assessment was conducted to identify the specific needs of young people at risk of social exclusion, highlighting areas such as limited opportunities for developing social and cognitive skills, the need for inclusion and diversity, and restricted access to support networks. As a result, the project was designed to be flexible, allowing each participant to progress at their own pace. Specific modules were developed for different groups, including people with disabilities, young people in vulnerable contexts, and those facing particular social challenges. Beyond addressing immediate needs, the project promoted the long-term development of participants by expanding their educational and professional opportunities, as well as their overall well-being. To ensure continuous adaptation to emerging needs, ongoing feedback mechanisms were implemented. In addition, active youth participation in decision-making processes was encouraged, ensuring that their voices were heard and that the project responded directly to their expectations and needs. Inspired by the success of previous initiatives such as “OpenPlay Inclusion”, “Integration Through Sports”, and “Equality in Sports”, the project used sport as a vehicle to develop personal and social competences, promote inclusion, diversity, and equality, and improve social and cultural relationships through sport, with the aim of building a society with greater equality of opportunities. This project focused on using sport as a tool to promote learning, inclusion, and diversity. Sports activities foster the development of social and cognitive skills, including communication, stress management, and physical health. The main objective was to use the dynamic nature of sport to enhance cognitive and social competences, rather than focusing solely on physical skills. The project also aimed to collectively explore concepts of equality and diversity, raising awareness of existing social gaps. The main objectives included: Developing physical and social competences through sport; Addressing inclusion and diversity by providing participants with the tools needed to make a difference in their communities; Promoting the development of cognitive (personal and social) skills with practical application in real-life contexts; Raising European awareness of the importance of such initiatives across all communities; Encouraging the sharing of personal stories and experiences that resonate within the European social context; Supporting the development of sustainable community projects focused on inclusion through sport. As a result, CCD Estrela do Zêzere, based in Boidobra, established a consortium with organisations from several countries, all committed to equality, inclusion, and diversity.

Project partners (6)