Sport in progress (EN)

Sport in progress

Project Type: Youth Exchange

Project Code: 2024-1-IT03-KA152-YOU-000235488

Partner Associations: ASOCIACIÓN AHORA ONG (Spain), SPORTSKO VOLONTERSKA ORGANIZACIJA NATURALISTA (Croatia), United Youth Spirit (Slovakia), Karate Klub Metalurg (North Macedonia), DCTR - ASSOCIACAO CULTURAL (Portugal)

Providing Bodies: European Commission, Agenzia Italiana per la Gioventù

The “Sport in Progress” project emerged as a significant response to the need to engage young Europeans in sporting activities, a theme recognized as vital for physical and mental well-being. Held during the European Week of Sport 2024, it brought together 36 young people from Italy, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Spain, Portugal and Croatia, creating a multicultural platform to explore and promote the countless benefits of sport.

At a time when physical inactivity has become one of the most pressing issues, especially among young people, “Sport in Progress” addressed this challenge by encouraging an active lifestyle. Sport is widely recognized not only for its benefits on physical health—helping in the prevention of diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular problems—but also for its positive impact on mental health, including the reduction of stress, anxiety and depression. More in depth, regular physical activity is essential to develop transversal skills such as leadership, teamwork and resilience, all valuable skills that improve young people’s preparation for the modern job market.

The project’s approach emphasized non-formal education, a method that is particularly effective in promoting active and participatory learning. This educational style allowed young people to fully immerse themselves in the activities proposed, making learning a direct and concrete experience. During the exchange week, participants had the opportunity to explore different sports, learn directly from experts in the field of nutrition and sport and develop a deep understanding of the nutritional values and benefits of different sports practices.

Interactive sessions gave young people the opportunity to exchange ideas and knowledge about the different sports practiced in their countries, engage in discussions on the role of sport in social inclusion and create promotional videos to raise awareness of the benefits of sport. These videos not only increased the visibility of the European Week of Sport, but also motivated other young people to actively participate.

A highlight of the project was the event at Villa Dante, which saw the active participation of the Mayor of Messina, Basile. During this event, participants were able to practice the sports they had designed and adapted to be accessible to all, demonstrating how sport can be inclusive and universal.

"Sport in Progress" effectively demonstrated how sport can serve as an educational and integration tool, promoting healthy and proactive lifestyles. The event not only strengthened cohesion and solidarity among young people from different countries, but also strengthened their self-esteem and leadership skills. Participants returned to their countries taking with them not only a greater awareness of the benefits of sport, but also the tools and motivation to act as ambassadors of change, actively promoting the importance of sport in their community.

"Sport in Progress" was therefore an important European initiative that harnessed the power of non-formal education to instil in young people a passion for an active lifestyle, strengthening their personal and community commitment and contributing to the broader objectives of the European Week of Sport.