Together Through Sport

Our overall goal was to contribute to the successful integration of refugee children into European schools by harnessing the power of physical activity. First, we sought to enrich the training a...

Our overall goal was to contribute to the successful integration of refugee children into European schools by harnessing the power of physical activity. First, we sought to enrich the training and strengthen the skills of teachers and sports coaches by providing them with practical and accessible tools. We co-created five innovative and tailored games based on the specific needs identified in schools and designed to help integrate refugee students into their classrooms. Second, we enabled these educators to use sport as a universal language, capable of overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers through inclusive practices and attitudes. This strengthened their ability to establish lasting cooperation between schools and local sports clubs. Finally, we wanted to directly support the children themselves by creating safe opportunities for refugees and local children to play, interact, and build trust together. This resulted in their participation in inclusive sports sessions, helping them develop a sense of belonging and peaceful coexistence.

The first phase, devoted to project management, was cross-functional and continued throughout its implementation, from October 2023 to September 2025. Three steering committee meetings were held, accompanied by regular monitoring to ensure the smooth running of activities. The second phase focused on the diagnosis and co-creation of the educational toolkit and began in November 2023. It included five co-creation sessions and field visits to Romania and Poland. This stage led to the design of an educational kit consisting of eight adapted sports games and several specialized guides, translated into five languages. The third phase focused on training, which took place between April and December 2024. Finally, the last phase, carried out from October 2024 to September 2025, consisted of the large-scale implementation of activities, reaching 1,550 students in Romania and more than 1,500 in Poland.

The primary output is the pedagogical kit, featuring eight adapted sports games, a thematic sheet, and a coach's guide. The most engaged teachers and their schools received vouchers for sports equipment. More than 3,050 children benefited from the use of these tools. Teachers have seen a clear change in their methods, with more cooperation and integration, using games to reduce conflicts and help reserved children emerge as leaders. Feedback from partners confirms the impact of the project at local, regional and European levels. . Two major sports events in Suceava (Romania), bringing together more than 300 participants. In Wroclaw (Poland), five major events took place, including four in parks in the European Capital of Culture and a conference. In Warsaw, some of the 18 remaining were organized by the teachers themselves, bringing together local children and refugee children, who are not always enrolled in schools in their host country, thereby strengthening community engagement and breaking down isolation. Finally, a capitalization event in Paris was organized by PLAY.