Inclusion and sport, two nouns that go hand in hand. The European Commission has assigned the Italian Football Federation the pilot project “Belong”, an initiative aimed at promoting the social integration of refugee adolescents, an urgent issue throughout the European Union: after all, sport is an important tool for promoting the social integration of refugee adolescents, especially those in the delicate age range between 10 and 18 years old.

‘Belong’ is an acronym for “footBall Employed to faciLitate the integratiOn of adolesceNt refuGees”, i.e. the use of a tool such as football to facilitate the integration of adolescent refugees and a sense of acceptance. It is a true collaborative partnership supported by UEFA, in which the FIGC, three local NGOs with a strong presence in the area (Solidarietà Caritas Onlus Firenze; Consorzio Gruppo CEIS Modena; Consorzio Gruppo CEIS Civitavecchia) and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Unimore) will develop a diversified and competent partnership, providing a scientifically based methodology to promote social inclusion in three different local contexts characterised by a strong presence of refugees.

Based on the experience of the Youth and School Sector, “Belong” derives from and extends the scope of the ReTe Project: the objective will therefore be to provide, through the support of its technicians and psychologists, easy-to-use and practical training tools, as well as to develop sporting, physical and educational activities to promote engagement in local communities. A further boost to inclusion through sport will come during football tournaments and school meetings, where refugee teenagers will have the opportunity to discuss their experiences with their peers, encouraging the creation of bonds. The boys and girls will train under the supervision of coaches from the Youth and School Sector and will be involved in non-sporting educational activities, promoting the value of health, mutual trust and cooperation, social cohesion and avoiding deviance.