C.U.T.S. - Outdoor challenge for European youngsters - Chess Under The Sky

Sport and nature are connected, but this relationship can be developed and built up with innovative models. This is a challenge for sports traditionally practiced indoors, especially if they are aimed at engaging youngsters with fewer opportunities for their well-being as citizens of 21st century society. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) as a governing body of chess as a sport was recognised by the International Olympic Committee as a Global Sporting Organisation in not so distant 1999. Our credo is that chess is not just a game but a competition requiring sporting spirit, specific skills and sportsmanship. Our target group is youngsters with fewer opportunities (with disabilities, health problems and socio-economic barriers) between 11 and 18 years old. The idea is to form 3 local teams - each with 10 juniors which to be trained by coaches in chess workshops in each country (Bulgaria, Portugal and N. Macedonia). The team structure will ensure gender balance - all teams will be composed of about equal numbers of girls and boys. The objectives of the C.U.T.S. project are in line with the horizontal policy priority: "Inclusion and diversity in all areas of education, training, youth and sport" with a focus on chess as a team sport (specific priority: „Promoting equality and European values in and through sport“- equality in sport, including gender equality). C.U.T.S. promotes awareness of the importance of inclusion through equal access to an intellectual sport such as chess and at the same time an entertaining game. Partners will develop, implement and share fresh, and inspiring applied models in 3 European countries, with the potential for wider international impact in the fields of sport, healthy lifestyles and youth upbringing. C.U.T.S. will promote this ancient game as a tool to engage in a traditional sport (but practiced as a team in open air) and to build social bridge for youngsters from 3 countries.