Grassroots Sports Diplomacy

ISCA and project partners have experienced and have identified a need for inspiration and innovation of the necessary foundation for a qualified and systematic role of grassroots sport in international relations, to enhance grassroots sports participation. With Grassroots Sport Diplomacy (GSD) project, we have analysed the pre-requisites for Grassroots Sport Diplomacy, collected good examples, designed definition of Grassroots Sport Diplomacy, defined and tested the key concepts of GSD in 7 different pilot actions. We have mapped, interviewed and consulted with 30 stakeholders and shared their knowledge about GSD to design the future of GSD. ISCA and partners met 5 times in 2 years at the kick off meeting and agreed on the project action plan. – 7. – 9.2.2018, Copenhagen in Denmark. We all started with the draft development of Intellectual outputs, set an action plan for them and project outcomes. Transnational meeting in Barcelona, Spain, 20. – 22.6.2018 gave space and time to finalize IO 1 and to discuss and plan other IOs (2 – 5). At the transnational meeting, Paris, France, 22. – 24.11.2018, we discussed and presented IO3 – Pilot Action applications, projects and action plans. 3rd meeting was also combined with International Conference in Paris, that gave opportunity for dissemination of GSD midterm outcomes. At the transnational meeting, Genova, Italy, 15. – 17.4.2019, we finalized IO1 and IO2, drafted Io 4 Policy recommendations, discussed the process of 7 Pilot actions and made a plan for the final meeting and Multiplier event. Final meeting in Budapest from 15 to 18 October 2019, gave time and space for closing the project activities, evaluating the project and preparing a plan for final dissemination and sustainability of the project. More in the Annex 2017 - 3486 Grassroots Sport Diplomacy Report of implemented activities 2018-2019With the project first outcome Grassroots Sport Diplomacy overview, mapping and definitions we contributed to the literature, particularly following the publication of two reports by two High Level Groups on sport diplomacy and on grassroots sport. We also defined the concept, principles and definition of “grassroots sport diplomacy”. We have elaborated, defined and shared the concept of “Grassroots Sport Diplomacy” with more than 30 stakeholders and experts and invited them to list and explain different perspectives that helped narrow down the concept. We prepared a publication/document available as .pdf Summary of interviews on the definition of Grassroots Sport Diplomacy - A systematic consultation of key stakeholders from EU, governments, and civil society , for online reading and as online course resources. Project partners defined the pilot action as an up to 10-months experimentation to enable small scale GSD activities and its developments between two or more international stakeholders. We selected 7 Pilot actions in 2018, that were implemented 11 different countries and with 21 different nationalities. In 2019, project partners developed and promoted Grassroots Sport Diplomacy Policy Recommendations. We developed Grassroots Sport Diplomacy Clearing house - online course for the purpose of networking, knowledge sharing and learning on the topic of Grassroots Sport Diplomacy. It consists of updated resources, and the chance to interact and engage in learning and capacity building on the topic through the online course. ISCA coordinated the project activities and engaged skill-full managers and leaders in providing experiences in project management and to project partners. The Partners have given their commitment to contribute to the project activities and outcomes. The ability to communicate was essential to the success of the working procedure and project and an important factor in the achievement of its objectives. The project management has been running well. More here: shorturl.at/uvzR5