Empowerment Through Sports (ETS)
Τhe project aimed to use sports as a tool to empower the young, educate them on human
rights and teach them the essence of tolerance and collaboration. Thus,
the more detailed objectives are:
- Identify the key areas & sources of minority discrimination in every partner country;
- Create means to encourage social inclusion through grassroots sports;
- Promote the idea that everyone regardless of their ethnicity, religion, gender, and
sexual orientation can play and, eventually, live together.
Special focus given to:
- Gender equality; and issues faced by
- LGBTQ;
- Ethnic & religious minorities; and
- refugees.
To achieve this, we intend to develop in-depth research in all partner countries to identify
the challenges faced by the minorities and how sports can tackle that. In addressing that, a
concise methodology on how to promote social inclusion through sports be collectively
designed. This then be tested during the pilot programme, which highlight the pros and cons
on the initially developed methodology.
According to the findings of the pilot programme, the methodology be further updated and
improved.
The idea was to have the methodology at a level where it was ready to be implemented at
every participating country (by respective partner organisations) according to their most
dominant discrimination problems (meaning that methods for including, for example,
refugees and, on the other end, LGBTQ minorities might differ).
Another objective of this project was to develop open access sports educational resources
(OER) that empower the youth and everyone interested in sports through the provision of
materials, providing technical support and mentorship. It done by uploading & constantly
updating the methodology on the Online platform, tips & tricks on organizing socially-
integrative sports events and other materials related to the project.
Overall, OER incorporate an e-learning course on the said topic, which interested ones be
able to take in order to gain an in-depth knowledge on how to promote equal rights through
sports for different groups of minorities, since different approaches might be needed.
To reach greater number of audiences, the materials and the structure module stored and
shared publicly free of charge.
The project also aimed to deliver its message further through the contest for youth and
creation of badge for deserving organizations. Youngsters across EU tasked to come up with
sports initiatives seeking to positively impact human rights, tackle discrimination and serve
as a catalyst for social inclusion.
The badge designed from the contest was aimed at encouraging organizations that promote
or carry out initiatives related to social inclusion through sports. This relates to organisation
helping tackle human rights abuse, and involving
LGBTQs, refugees, ethnic and religious minorities into their sport activities. In this way, as we
honour deserving organizations, we are also encouraging other organizations to promote
the same values.
Another aspect of the OER worth elaborating was the inclusion of the online mentorship
platform.
Underprivileged and/or vulnerable youth have the opportunity to be mentored and coached
in sports. The platform would link sports professionals and youth participants so as to
encourage, guide and provide support for them in the field of sports and beyond.
This in the long-run is expected to provide equal opportunities for all aspiring athletes
including those in remote areas where they do not have anyone to look-up to in their
communities.
The general objectives are:
- Educate sports workers, youth workers and participants on how to protect human rights
and enhance empowerment through sports; - Promote the 8 & 9 points of the European objectives (fighting social exclusion and
intolerance, as well as inequality of opportunities) to sports organisations in Europe; - Boost interaction among youth from disadvantaged groups and those with fewer
opportunities through sports; - Promote gender equality through sports;
- Enhance mentorship and coaching skills of sports workers, sports athletes and youth
workers in order to facilitate social inclusion through sports. - Raise awareness of health-enhancing physical activity through increased participation in,
and equal access to, sport for all.
Project’s relevance to target groups
The main target groups of the project are:
- Youth from disadvantaged & vulnerable backgrounds, such as minorities (sexual,
religious, ethical) from participating countries; - Sports organizations and NGOs from Lithuania, Latvia, Greece, Slovenia and Romania;
- Sports workers and aspiring athletes willing to work as mentors for youth.
The impact to each of them was stressed below:
Underprivileged Youth and Minorities – Youth from disadvantaged backgrounds would
benefit largely from the project.
First of all, the general project plan was to help them feel empowered through sports. This
done by directly involving them in multiplier events (open sports events & seminars).
Here they engage in sports activities facilitating social inclusion, tolerance and human rights.
The sports activities have a mixed team composition, involving not only disadvantaged
youth, but also youth that do not have integration difficulties in life.
This eventually highlight that everyone, despite their ethnic/cultural/gender/sexual/other
differences, speak the language of sport and the fun aspect of sports & healthy, joyful
competitiveness was at least one thing that unites all.
Reflection of every sport activity made on the second day in a form of seminar, where all
participants gather again to discuss their feelings & insights of the physical event.
Furthermore, the mentorship platform of the project allows youngsters to get mentorship
from sport athletes. This was expected to fit specific needs of different groups of minorities
better, inspire more underprivileged youngsters to take on grassroots sports, and thus
facilitate their social inclusion and equal opportunities.
Lastly, the (social inclusion) methodology for sports organisations was anticipated to be
further put into practice after the project; thus, contributing to youth empowerment in the
long-run.
Sports Organizations & NGOs – Research and methodology that structured from this project
beneficial to this target group (TG), as it provides guidelines on how to carry out social
inclusion activities through sports. Also, organizations that support sports and frown on
social vices like discrimination awarded with a badge for their good work. This gave them
increased recognition and image in the society, and encourage them (and similar
organisations) to carry on.
Sports workers and aspiring athletes – the pilot programme empower sports workers to
effectively use social inclusion methods in sports events. They also be equipped with skills to
create and run such events of their own. The training as well broaden their scope on issues
of discrimination and racism and how sports can tackle that.
Lastly, OER further expand that knowledge.
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