Community Football Drivers for social inclusion in deprived districts

Background SIDFOOT project finds its inspiration in the figure of Jorge Morillo, who has dedicated his entire life to help the most disadvantaged people of Seville, especially those who are living in deprived areas of the city capital. After his retirement the Real Betis Balompié Foundation wanted to continue and extend its work through the creation of a professionally trained figure providing a better life to disadvantaged people through sport, that can also be replicated within european countries. Objectives SIDFOOT general objective is to use the huge potential to mobilise of football as a vehicle to promote social inclusion and a healthier life for children and young people living in disadvantaged neighborhoods, through the creation of a figure named as “Community Football Driver”, a kind of agent of change who will have the job of empowering young participants to learn in an experiential group, in this case through football, promoting active and consciously involvement of the participants. Implementation During 36 months the Real Betis Foundation has leaded the implementation of the SIDFOOT project together with other 8 european partners covering a widespread area of 6 countries. SIDFOOT has provided examples of european experiences on the field of social inclusion through sport that have helped to shape the figure of the CFD, its training and assesment and the dissemination of materials created and conclusions obtained, through its presentation in events such as its Final Conference in Seville. Achievements Main outputs of the SIDFOOT project have been: 1) Creation of the microsite compiling best practices on sport and social inclusion, the referred initiatives can be accessed for replication and acknowledgment 2) Creation of the figure of the “Community Football Driver” through expert input on required competences, specific blended training, piloting phases and a guidelines publication for replication 3) Design of the SIDFOOT Self-Assessment Tool for CFDs participating in the programme.