On 23^rd September 2026, the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia provided the setting for the BELONG multiplier event “Dialogue with University Students: How Football Can Foster Social Inclusion and Belonging”, organised by Professor Veronica Margherita Cocco and Professor Loris Vezzali. The event was included in the programme of the UNIMORE Equality Week 2026, a week dedicated to equality and social inclusion.

The event was organised within the framework of the European project BELONG – “footBall Employed to faciLitate the integratiOn of adolesceNt refuGees”, which promotes the integration of adolescent refugees through football and explores the role of sport as a tool for participation and community building.

The meeting brought together university students and representatives from the worlds of sport and social inclusion to discuss racism, discrimination, and the role of football in fostering more inclusive communities. The event consisted of an interview with Oumar Daffe, Head of Anti-Discrimination and Senior Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist at Lega Serie A, conducted by Dr Michele Bisagni, a psychologist and psychotherapist with expertise in sport psychology. The conversation explored the challenges of addressing discrimination in football and the responsibility of sporting institutions in creating more inclusive environments. It also offered students the opportunity to reflect on how football can challenge stereotypes, connect people from different backgrounds and strengthen a sense of belonging.

The event also presented the activities of Calcio Dilettanti e Solidarietà APS and the SENEGOL project, which uses sport as a means of solidarity, education and inclusion in Senegal. Participants were also invited to contribute to a collection of school supplies for children, schools and local communities in Senegal, linking the discussion to a concrete initiative of solidarity. Through the dialogue between students, sport professionals and organisations engaged in social inclusion, the event highlighted how football can contribute to respect, equality and participation.

On 23^rd September 2026, the Villa Granata Training Centre of AC Reggiana 1919 provided the setting for “Football Without Borders”, a BELONG multiplier event organised by Professor Veronica Margherita Cocco and Professor Loris Vezzali. The event was included in the programme of UNIMORE Equality Week 2026, a week dedicated to equality and social inclusion.

The initiative was organised within the framework of BELONG – “footBall Employed to faciLitate the integratiOn of adolesceNt refuGees”, a European project that explores football as a means of promoting participation, relationships and a sense of belonging among adolescent refugees.

“Football Without Borders” was developed through a collaboration between UNIMORE and AC Reggiana 1919, with the support of Nicola Simonelli, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and General Secretary. The project brought together UNIMORE students with representatives from the club’s youth and women’s sectors, the Integration League, and Regia for Special.

The programme included a Social Inclusion Lab focusing on inclusion and discrimination, involving players and students in discussion and exchange. This was followed by the symbolic activity “A Kick to Break Down the Barriers to Inclusion”, designed to reflect on the barriers that can limit participation and belonging in sport. The event continued with a shared warm-up and mixed football matches, creating opportunities for participants to interact and engage beyond their different backgrounds and roles.

Through discussion and shared sporting activities, “Football Without Borders” highlighted the potential of football to bring people together, challenge barriers and contribute to more inclusive sporting environments.

On Tuesday, September 29^th, the monthly meeting of the European project BELONG Steering Committee was held via an online call.

The agenda included a review of documentation to be completed, involved schools, regional, sensitization, and multiplier events, as well as upcoming activities.

Regarding the final event, which will be held at the Coverciano Federal Technical Centre from October 31^st to November 1^st, the organization, logistics, and budget were finalized.

The next Committee meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 20^th.

On Friday, August 28^th, the monthly meeting of the European project BELONG Steering Committee was held via an online call.

After analyzing the overall progress of the project, Caritas announced that it will organize its “Regional Event” on September 12^th, while UNIMORE will participate in “Football Without Borders” as part of “Quality Week”.

Furthermore, the operational plan for the final event, which will take place in Coverciano on Saturday, October 31^st and Sunday, November 1^st, was finalized.

During the two-day event, participants will have the opportunity to engage in interactive activities with FIGC’s psychological area, as well as technical sessions based on the model developed throughout the project. The program will also feature a football tournament, concluding with an award ceremony on Sunday morning.

On Friday, July 17^th, the monthly meeting of the European project BELONG Steering Committee was held via an online call. Regarding the overall progress of the work, several key topics were addressed, including:

• Updates on documentation to be completed, involved schools, regional events, sensitization efforts, multiplier events, and upcoming activities.
• Planning and organization of the project’s final event.

Furthermore, the next meeting has been scheduled for Friday, August 28^th.

On Tuesday, June 23^rd, the monthly meeting of the European project BELONG Steering Committee was held via an online call.

Regarding the overall progress of the project, several key topics were addressed, including:

• Updates on the documentation to be completed following both non-sporting and sporting activities, and the sharing of a folder containing the reporting form for school events.
• Status updates on the involved schools and sports activities, including the Regional Tournaments, with the latest figures on participant numbers and the schedule of upcoming events.
  
  

Furthermore, the next meeting has been scheduled for Friday, July 17^th.

The Belong project continues to pave the way for inclusion and connection within our local community, confirming that sport and educational activities are powerful tools for youth integration. Between March and May, the participating youths embarked on an intense and inspiring journey filled with workshops, teamwork, and personal growth.

 

Project Figures

The initiatives were divided into two main modules, drawing a wonderful level of participation:

• 8 educational workshops, held between March and April.
• 4 sports sessions, led on the pitch by official FIGC (Italian Football Federation) coaches between April and May.

In total, around 60 young people took part in the project. Although many did not attend the entire program but instead rotated across the different activities, the overall turnout reflects the initiative’s high appeal and success.

 

A Mosaic of Cultures and Generations

The pitch and classrooms were transformed into a true hub of multiculturalism. The participants, aged between 17 and 21 (with a large majority aged 17 to 18), brought with them unique stories and backgrounds from all over the world.

A wide array of nationalities was represented: Albania, Egypt, Gambia, Guinea, Senegal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Tunisia. The largest groups of young people came from Albania, Egypt, and Tunisia.

On Thursday, May 14, 2026, four third-year classes from the Luosi Pico Institute in Mirandola (MO), accompanied by Professor Angelo Tucci, were guests at the “Nel Villaggio” Community in Bologna. The visit took place as part of the Belong project, which focuses on the social inclusion and integration of refugee adolescents.

In the preceding months, the students had delved into the theoretical, legal, and historical aspects of migration. This meeting provided a valuable opportunity to connect and share experiences directly with the unaccompanied foreign minors (UFM) hosted by the community.

On Monday, May 25^th, the Steering Committee of the European project BELONG met via an online call for its regular monthly update on the progress of activities.

During the meeting, several key aspects were discussed, including updates on the documentation to be filled out following both non-sporting and sporting activities, with the distribution of questionnaires to partners and coaches.

The topic of the involved schools was also addressed, providing an update on the number of participants and the schedule of upcoming sessions. Finally, the next meeting was scheduled for June 23^rd.