Breaking Social Exclusion through Sport

"<< Background >>The project ""Breaking Social Exclusion through Sport"" was applied for because it addresses significant needs related to social inclusion, particularly for young people with disabilities. The participating organizations identified gaps in their capacity to create meaningful and inclusive activities that promote interaction between young people with and without disabilities.Here's a breakdown of the key needs addressed:-Social Inclusion for Young People with Disabilities: The need to break the barriers and stereotypes faced by young people with disabilities.-Capacity Building for Organizations: The need to develop a curriculum and methodologies to facilitate social inclusion.-Creating Quality Curricula: There was a lack of structured, accessible resources for organizations to use sport as a medium for inclusion.-Transnational Cooperation and Innovation: The organizations identified the need to collaborate internationally to share practices, learn from other contexts, and enhance their own approaches.-Breaking Stereotypes and Prejudices: Young people without disabilities often carry negative stereotypes due to a lack of interaction with their peers with disabilities.<< Objectives >>The project ""Breaking Social Exclusion through Sport"" achieved the following objectives:- Raised capacities of organizations and the youth workers, leaders to use sport as a tool for activities bringing together young people with and without disabilities;- Developed capacities of organizations to create quality curriculum for implementation of activities involving young people with and without disabilities and supporting building socially cohesive societies;- Strengthened the capacities of the organizations to work transnationally and to use the opportunities provided by the Erasmus + Programme.<< Implementation >>1. International Training: ""Using Sport as a Tool for Social Inclusion"" training brought together 30 youth workers, 3 trainers, and 3 support staff to develop competencies in designing and delivering inclusive, sport-based activities. The activity was realised in Silivri Uygulama Hotel (Istanbul, Türkiye) on 13–20 January 2024.2. Local Workshops: Bringing Youth Together: Organized by the Czech Youth Association to deliver a minimum of 3 workshops for 60 young people (20 per workshop), including youth with and without disabilities.3. Curriculum Development: ""Sport as a Tool for Social Inclusion"" curriculum includes more than 30 activities mixed of energizers, team-builders, and workshops. Each organisation contributed 10 unique activities including sports elements to raise inclusion of disabled people in society. The curriculum was translated into partner languages: German, Czech, and Turkish. 4. Dissemination and Visibility Activities: Project website was set up and social media platforms of the partners were used to disseminate the project on Instagram, Facebook etc. Erasmus+ dissemination platforms (e.g., SALTO Youth) was used to publish the curriculum for people who want to get informed in similar projects. << Results >>1. New Curriculum: Sport as a Tool for Social InclusionA curriculum with over 30 sport-based activities was developed to promote interaction and inclusion among young people with and without disabilities. It is user-friendly, accessible, and available as an open educational resource in English and partner languages (German, Czech, and Turkish).2. International Training Outcomes30 youth workers, educators, and project coordinators were trained in using sport for social inclusion. Inclusive tools, methods, and practices were shared, and individual action plans were created for local implementation. The training took place in Silivri, Istanbul, Türkiye, on 13–20 January 2024.3. Local WorkshopsThree workshops engaged at least 60 young people (with and without disabilities) in Czechia. These workshops:Promoted interaction and cooperation.Tested the curriculum locally.Raised awareness about inclusion and breaking stereotypes in local communities.4. Project DisseminationSocial media were used to disseminate the project. The website of the project was set up in order to have long-term impact and availability for the project results. http://setsport.eu/"