Pedagogy of the Pitch: Football as a tool

Pedagogy of the Pitch: Football as a Tool

How do we move from a fun and/or competitive game of football to building a transformative space that actively lifts up vulnerable youth and builds lasting human and social capital?

Football is the most universal language on earth. On local squares, schoolyards, and community pitches, a simple ball has the power to bring people together across any divide. However, to truly use football as an instrument for social change, we must go beyond physical training. We need to intentionally coach for community, social emotional competences, and connection to broader civil society.

This training course is designed for professionals and youth workers who see the football pitch not just as a place of athletic competition, but as a classroom for life. Rooted in the critical pedagogy of Paulo Freire—where sport becomes a tool for empowerment for vulnerable groups—and structured around Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) as conceptualized by the EASEL Lab at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, this course will elevate your daily practice.

Main Objectives

• Apply Freirean Pedagogy to Sport: Explore how football can be used as a transformational and liberating instrument for vulnerable groups in society.
• Integrate Social-Emotional Learning: Understand how to intentionally develop social-emotional competencies in both young people and trainers on the pitch.
• Be inspired by International Peers: During the week there will be time to share and be inspired amongst finest social football practices within Europe and beyond
• Co-Create and Test Practical Workshops: Work in a collaborative environment to design, refine, and immediately test football-based workshops.
• Build Social Capital: Learn how community football can strengthen local networks, improve social cohesion, and empower grassroots coaches.
• Develop Future Erasmus+ Projects: Establish solid partnerships with other European organizations for future collective project planning.

The Program Highlights

The training starts from a non-formal learning pedagogy. Alongside introduction to SEL Framework, the program deliberately makes space for sharing, self-reflection and concrete action.

• Site Visit to City Pirates: See community building in action by visiting Antwerp's renowned social-football project, observing how they use football to create social impact and support local youth.
• Good Practice Exchange: Share your own successful methods and projects, serving as the raw material and inspiration for our collaborative design sessions.
• The Co-Creation Lab: Collaborate directly on designing football workshops aligned with the EASEL (Ecological Approaches to Social Emotional Learning) Lab at the Harvard Graduate School of Education approach.
• Immersive Community Action: Take your co-created workshops directly to the pitches of Antwerp, putting your ideas into immediate practice with local youth.
• Building partnerships for future cooperation: Brainstorm with your peers how to set up transnational cooperation

Participant Profile

This training course is designed for:

• Experienced youth workers, coaches, sports practitioners, teachers, and street workers who actively use football as a tool for youth development, community building, and social inclusion.
• Professionals working with clubs, neighborhood initiatives, youth work, schools, or street sports programs, with a focus on supporting vulnerable youth.
• Participants who have a strong working level of English, as the course involves highly active discussion, co-creation, and community testing.

Note on Applications: Each partner organization can submit 1 to 2 applications. There are 10 to 15 spots allocated for partner organizations. Please note that all interested parties—including our trusted network partners—must submit an application to be considered for selection.

 Note for non-EU applicants: If your organization is not from an Erasmus+ Program or Partner Country, you are still very welcome to apply. Please contact us directly to explore possibilities for participating with your own budget. Unfortunatly, we don't have budget to host countries that are no Program of Partner Country

What to Bring: Your Practice as a Blueprint

Instead of a standard motivation letter, we ask that you bring your real-world experience to this training. Applicants must apply with:

• A Good Practice: A successful method, project, or approach your organization currently uses on and/or around the pitch.
• A Future Vision: A clear idea of what you want to achieve next, using this training as a catalyst to find future partners and co-create new Erasmus+ projects.
• Indoor and Outdoor football Gear

Practical Information & Funding

• Accommodation: Pulcinella Youth Hostel, located in the heart of Antwerp (shared rooms, separated by gender).
• Meals: A full plant-based/vegetarian meal plan is provided (with halal options respected).
• Funding: For selected Erasmus+ program and partner country participants, travel, accommodation, meals, and training activities are fully covered by the project budget.

Note for applicant from program countries: it is possible that you will be invited for an advanced planning visit which is to take place in february in Antwerp.

Note for senior applicants: senior profiles who prefer to stay in single room can signpost this after selection, yet this possibility is pending room availability and will require extra budget from the applicant to cover the difference in price.

Note for applicants from outside E+ program and partner countries: Applicants from regions outside of eligible countries, can apply but will have to cover the whole funding of the project.

Ready to Apply?

Join us in Antwerp to transform the way we coach, connect, and build community through the power of the game.