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About the project

The INCLUSION FIRST project shines a spotlight on social inclusion through the values of sports. Its strategic objective is to promote recent developments in the EU's sports sector. At its heart lies "RUN AND SMILE," a collection of inspirational stories featuring insights from 24 personalities on various facets of social inclusion. Their motivational journeys are interwoven with pertinent EU sports policies.

A key goal of the project is to bring EU sports policies closer to non-governmental sports organizations, particularly making them more accessible and understandable for stakeholders at all levels, including the local level. This objective will be pursued through the INCLUSION FIRST platform.

The project name cleverly underscores its focus on prioritizing inclusion, while also serving as an acronym for its five core elements: FRIENDSHIP, INNOVATIONS, RUNNING, SUSTAINABILITY, and TEAMWORK.

The proposed consortium aims to concentrate on the latest EU sports agenda, including the sport policies outlined in the EU Work Plan for Sport (2021-2024) and the priorities of the EU's Erasmus+ programme (2021-2027) in the sports sector. Notably, the consortium will develop Council conclusions on sport as a platform for social inclusion, as devised during the Maltese Presidency, and Council conclusions on sport diplomacy, as formulated during the Slovak Presidency. By collaborating with selected countries, the project seeks to practically follow up on the EU sports agenda set forth during the presidencies of Malta and Slovakia in the Council of the EU.

Digital, environmentally friendly, and innovative, the project places a significant emphasis on the green and digital transitions, aligning with the priorities of the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 programme and the current call for proposals.

The project is well-suited to the call's scope, designed with small-scale partnerships in mind. It aims to broaden access to the programme for small-scale actors and individuals who are traditionally hard to reach in the sports sector. Furthermore, the project contributes to the establishment and growth of transnational networks and fosters synergies among local, regional, national, and international policies.

The European policies in the field of sports that serve as the basis for the proposed project include:

  • Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions entitled “Developing the European Dimension in Sport”, 2011
  • Council Recommendation on Promoting health-enhancing physical activity across sectors, 2013
  • Council Conclusions on maximising the role of grassroots sport in developing transversal skills, especially among young people, 2015
  • Council conclusions on sport diplomacy, 2016
  • Council conclusions on sport as a platform for social inclusion, 2017
  • Tartu Call for Healthy Lifestyles, 2017
  • Council Conclusions on promoting the common values of the EU through sport, 2018
  • Council Conclusions on combating corruption in sport, 2019
  • Council Conclusions on the impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic and the recovery of the sport sector, 2020
  • New European Bauhaus initiative, 2020
  • EU Work Plan for sport (2021 - 2024)
  • EU programme Erasmus+ (2021 – 2027)

    The project affinity to the general objectives of the call is very close. The project provides cooperation opportunities in sport in light of the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 programme. It highlights five basic project elements: FRIENDSHIP, INNOVATIONS, RUNNING, SUSTAINABILITY and TEAMWORK while addressing general objectives of the call:

    1. Support active European citizenship and bring the European dimension to the local level through sport values, such as FRIENDSHIP.
    2. Attract and widen access for newcomers, less experienced organisations and small-scale actors to the programme. This partnership acts as a role model for organisations willing to start cooperation at European level. Its INNOVATION element focuses on increasing quality in the work and practices of the organisations and institutions involved, opening up to new actors not naturally included within one sector.
    3. Support the inclusion of target groups with fewer opportunities, notably vulnerable groups. It uses RUNNING as an example activity, which might be easy replicable in any other health enhancing physical activity.
    4. SUSTAINABILITY is linked to building capacity of organisations to work transnationally and across sectors. It includes green aspects and is guaranteed by a pledge of stakeholders to keep project outcomes financed after its initial funding from the Erasmus+ programme.
    5. Addressing common needs and priorities in the fields of education, training, youth and sport the project capitalises on a synergic effect of those areas. TEAM WORK lies in enabling transformation and change at individual, organisational and sectoral level, leading to improvements, in proportion to the context of each organisation.

    The partner institutions have been chosen for their expertise in relevant fields, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all project objectives. Their collaborative efforts are essential for achieving common goals and maximizing the project's impact. The EU dimension adds significant value, as the intended scope of project activities would be challenging to accomplish individually by each consortium member. Moreover, the project facilitates capacity-building among organizations, enabling them to effectively engage in cross-border cooperation and networking, a requirement stipulated by the small-scale partnerships of the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 programme.

    The project's contributions to the priorities outlined in the call are extensive, particularly with regards to its digital, green, and innovative aspects within the sports sector. With a strong emphasis on green and digital transitions, the project aligns closely with the objectives of the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 programme and the current Call document. Notably, the anticipated outcome of the project, the INCLUSION FIRST platform, exemplifies its digital orientation. Sustainability and environmental consciousness permeate all project activities, with innovation serving as a core element, including the development of a pioneering platform aimed at a global audience.

    Addressing horizontal aspects such as environmental sustainability, inclusion and diversity, and the digital dimension, the project is designed with eco-friendliness in mind, integrating green practices throughout its various phases. It actively involves local and regional sports clubs, as required by the specifications for small-scale partnerships. All project activities will occur within the countries of the participating organizations, linking closely with the national perspectives of sport policies in Malta and Slovakia while also considering policies developed at the international level. The project's approach encompasses both non-governmental and governmental levels, facilitating communication and mutual discussions. Notably, the project is timely, considering the increasing global focus on sustainability and the green dimension across governments worldwide.