Partners Contributions

Inclusion and sport: two concepts that move forward together. The European Commission has awarded the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) the pilot project ‘BELONG’, an initiative aimed at promoting the social integration of adolescent refugees—an urgent priority across the European Union. After all, sport is a powerful tool for fostering social inclusion among refugees, especially those in the delicate age range of 10 to 18.

‘BELONG’ stands for ‘footBall Employed to faciLitate the integratiOn of adolesceNt refuGees’. The project utilizes football as a medium to facilitate integration and foster a sense of belonging and acceptance. This is a collaborative partnership supported by UEFA, involving FIGC, the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Unimore), and three local NGOs with a strong regional presence: Fondazione Solidarietà Caritas ETS, Consorzio Gruppo CEIS Modena, and Consorzio Gruppo CEIS Civitavecchia. Together, they form a diverse and highly competent partnership, implementing a scientifically-grounded methodology to foster social inclusion across three different local contexts characterized by a significant refugee presence.

Building on the experience of the FIGC Youth and School Sector, ‘BELONG’ evolves from and extends the scope of the ReTe! Project. The goal is to provide easy and practical training tools through the support of specialized coaches and psychologists, while developing sporting, physical, and educational activities to encourage engagement within local communities.

Further impetus for inclusion through sport will be provided during football tournaments and school meetings, where young refugees will have the opportunity to share their experiences with their peers, fostering the creation of new bonds. These young boys and girls will train under the supervision of FIGC Youth and School Sector technicians and participate in non-sporting educational activities, promoting health values, mutual trust, cooperation, and social cohesion.