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

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

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

The project consortium aimed 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. Mainly, the consortium developed 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 provided follow-up on the EU sports agenda set forth during the presidencies of Malta and Slovakia in the Council of the EUuropean Union. 

Erasmus+ project co-funded by the European Union

The ongoing Erasmus+ project called INCLUSION FIRST was developed in cooperation with the University of Malta. The project highlighted a topic of social inclusion through sport values and was co-funded by the European Union. Its strategic aim was to promote the latest work of the EU in the sports sector. The core of the project was a collection of inspirational stories called RUN AND SMILE that captured views of 24 personalities on different aspects of social inclusion. Their motivational experiences were intertwined with relevant EU sport policies.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. 

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The INCLUSION FIRST project underlined the call's scope and was designed with small-scale partnerships in mind. It broadened access to the programme for small-scale actors and individuals who were traditionally hard to reach in the sports sector. Furthermore, the project contributed to the establishment and growth of transnational networks and fostered synergies among local, regional, national, and international policies.

The European policies in the field of sports that served as the basis for the proposed project included:

• 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 

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

1. Supported active European citizenship and brought the European dimension to the local level through sport values, such as FRIENDSHIP.
2. Attracted and widened access for newcomers, less experienced organisations, and small-scale actors to the programme. This partnership acted as a role model for organisations willing to start cooperation at the European level. Its INNOVATION element focused 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. Supported the inclusion of target groups with fewer opportunities, notably vulnerable groups. It used RUNNING as an example activity, which might be easily replicable in any other health-enhancing physical activity.
4. Linked SUSTAINABILITY to building the capacity of organisations to work transnationally and across sectors. It included green aspects and was guaranteed by a pledge of stakeholders to keep project outcomes financed after its initial funding from the Erasmus+ programme.

1. Addressed common needs and priorities in the fields of education, training, youth, and sport. The project capitalised on a synergic effect of those areas. TEAMWORK lay in enabling transformation and change at individual, organisational, and sectoral levels, leading to improvements in proportion to the context of each organisation.

PARTNER INSTITUTIONS

The partner institutions - the University of Malta nd ŠK Mladosť - were chosen for their expertise in relevant fields, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all project objectives. Their collaborative efforts were essential for achieving common goals and maximizing the project's impact. The EU dimension added significant value, as the scope of project activities was challenging to accomplish individually by each consortium member. Moreover, the project facilitated 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.

Environmental sustainability, inclusion and diversity 

Addressing horizontal aspects such as environmental sustainability, inclusion and diversity, and the digital dimension, the project was designed with eco-friendliness in mind, integrating green practices throughout its various phases. It actively involved local and regional sports clubs, as required by the specifications for small-scale partnerships. All project activities occurred 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 encompassed both non-governmental and governmental levels, facilitating communication and mutual discussions. Notably, the project considered the increasing global focus on sustainability and the green dimension across governments worldwide.

INCLUSION FIRST PLATFORM 

COLLECTION OF INSPIRATIONAL STORIES RUN AND SMILE

"The project's contributions to the priorities outlined in the call were extensive, particularly regarding its digital, green, and innovative aspects within the sports sector. With a strong emphasis on green and digital transitions, the project aligned closely with the objectives of the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 programme and the current Call document. Notably, the outcome of the project, the INCLUSION FIRST platform, with a collection of inspirational stories RUN AND SMILE, which is to be found on www.run-and-smile.com exemplified its digital orientation. Sustainability and environmental consciousness permeated all project activities, with innovation serving as a core element, including the development of a pioneering platform aimed at a global audience."

Tomáš Poláček, President of ŠK Mladosť