SPORT FOR UNITY

Author: superkid

  • LAUNCHING CONFERENCE AND LOGO PRESENTATION

    A Strong Start in Padova

    On February 8, 2025, the partners of the Sport for Unity and Equality project gathered in Padova, Italy, for the first transnational meeting. Hosted by Associazione Popoli Insieme ODV, the one-day event marked an important milestone in setting the foundation for successful project implementation.

    After a warm welcome from the host, the coordinating organization DSR Superkid presented the meeting agenda. The day was dedicated to clarifying the project’s activity plan, financial framework, and dissemination strategy, ensuring that all partners were aligned on the road ahead.

    Each partner organization introduced itself, highlighting its role, responsibilities, and target groups:

    • DSR Superkid (Croatia) – working with Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Zagreb, focusing on refugees.
    • GK Zaprešić (Croatia) – collaborating with the School of Graphics, Design, and Media Production in Zagreb, particularly classes with Ukrainian migrants.
    • Popoli Insieme (Italy) – engaging its regular refugee service users in project activities.
    • Sport Evolution Alliance (Portugal) – connecting with public community bodies to link migrants and refugees with the project’s programs.

    The consortium officially established a Steering Committee, composed of four representatives: the project coordinator from DSR Superkid and one experienced Erasmus project manager from each partner organization. This team will oversee efficient project management and decision-making.

    The meeting also focused on practical training activities, scheduled from March 2025 to February 2026, with each partner assuming responsibility for a specific age group and sports discipline:

    • Popoli Insieme – yoga and plogging for young adults and adults.
    • GK Zaprešić – gymnastics training for primary and secondary school children.
    • SEA – martial arts, specifically karate classes, for youth.
    • DSR Superkid – swimming, ice-skating, and a summer camp for primary school children.

    In addition, the consortium reviewed mandatory documentation requirements (photos, videos, evaluation questionnaires) and compliance with GDPR and parental consent regulations.

    A key follow-up activity is the development of surveys on social inclusion to be distributed at the start of the practical training. Popoli Insieme shared a survey template based on their previous experience, which was refined and adopted by the whole consortium.

    The meeting also included discussions on upcoming educational workshops for children, trainers, teachers, and volunteers. These workshops aim to address issues of social inequality and highlight the importance of inclusion. Popoli Insieme will develop the workshop materials.

    To ensure broad outreach, partners discussed the Dissemination Plan, created by DSR Superkid and SEA. During this session, the consortium also selected the official project logo, giving Sport for Unity its visual identity.

    OFFICAL PROJECT LOGO

    The meeting concluded with a tour of Popoli Insieme’s facilities, followed by a shared lunch at a local restaurant and a guided walk through the historic city of Padova — a perfect setting for strengthening the bonds of the consortium.

    With clear plans and a strong partnership, the Padova meeting set the stage for an impactful project journey ahead.

  • OUR PARTNERS

    The Sport for Unity and Equality – Building Bridges by Learning, Understanding, and Accepting project is powered by a consortium of committed organizations from Croatia, Italy, and Portugal. Each partner brings a unique set of experiences, knowledge, and skills to create a strong, well-balanced team working together for a common goal: promoting inclusion and diversity through sport.

    This partnership is designed to combine expertise in sport, education, and social inclusion. Together, the partners ensure that the project not only develops innovative tools and activities, but also reaches communities across Europe with lasting impact.

    DSR Superkid (Croatia) – Project Coordinator

    Drustvo Sportske Rekreacije Superkid leads the Sport for Unity project. With many years of experience in organizing sports programs for children and young people, DSR Superkid plays a central role in ensuring that the project runs smoothly and achieves its goals.

    Beyond their role as coordinator, Superkid contributes a strong network of national stakeholders, including the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Zagreb, the Croatian Institute of Public Health, and the Croatian Olympic Committee. Their experience in implementing diverse sports activities — from swimming and skiing to gymnastics and martial arts — makes them the perfect anchor for this international initiative.

    Most importantly, DSR Superkid ensures that the project is deeply rooted in the local community in Croatia, while also connecting it to broader European networks.

    Gymnastic Club Zaprešić (Croatia)

    GK Zaprešić is a dynamic sports club devoted to gymnastics and physical education for children and youth. As a smaller club, their involvement in this Erasmus+ project is an important step towards international cooperation and capacity building.

    The club provides expertise in training young athletes and supporting coaches in adopting inclusive practices. They bring practical, hands-on knowledge of how to engage children of different ages in sports activities, making sure that newcomers — including migrants and refugees — feel welcomed and supported.

    Their participation ensures that the project is not only about large organizations, but also about empowering smaller clubs to play a role in social inclusion at the community level.

    Associazione Popoli Insieme ODV (Italy)

    Popoli Insieme, based in Padova, has been working on refugee integration and intercultural dialogue since 1990. With over three decades of experience, they are the consortium’s leading expert in diversity management, inclusion methodologies, and community engagement.

    Their work is rooted in supporting refugees and migrants through education, mediation, and social services, always with the goal of building genuine integration between communities. In the Sport for Unity project, Popoli Insieme is responsible for shaping the methodological approach to inclusion, ensuring that sports activities and educational workshops are truly adapted to the needs of marginalized groups.

    As a first-time participant in an Erasmus+ Sport project, their expertise complements the sports knowledge of the other partners, making the consortium both innovative and balanced.

    Sport Evolution Alliance (Portugal)

    Sport Evolution Alliance (SEA) is a Portuguese organization specializing in sports development, communication, and European project management. SEA brings significant experience in managing and implementing EU-funded projects, with a particular focus on promoting social inclusion through sport.

    Their strength lies in connecting ideas with the right people and institutions. By leveraging their networks of stakeholders, policymakers, and sports organizations, SEA ensures that the outcomes of the Sport for Unity project reach a wide audience at both national and European levels.

    In addition, SEA plays a key role in communication and dissemination, using innovative tools to share project results, best practices, and success stories. Their involvement guarantees that the impact of the project goes beyond the local communities and contributes to European dialogue on inclusion through sport.

    Stronger Together

    What makes this consortium unique is the complementary expertise of its members:

    • DSR Superkid provides leadership and practical sports experience.
    • GK Zaprešić represents grassroots sports clubs and youth engagement.
    • Popoli Insieme ensures deep knowledge of refugee integration and social inclusion.
    • SEA amplifies the project’s message and connects it to European stakeholders.

    By working hand in hand, these partners are not only creating opportunities for migrants, refugees, and marginalized groups to join sports activities — they are also building bridges of understanding, acceptance, and unity across Europe.

    Through Sport for Unity, our consortium is proving that sport is more than just physical activity: it is a powerful tool for education, social change, and community building.

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