Sport It Out Vol.2

The outbreak of the global health pandemic, Coronavirus, has caused particular international challenges on social, economic, and health levels, due to daily life restrictions and travel bans. Since Corona virus is seriously infectious disease and there are no enough vaccines against COVID-19 yet, the international youth work and youth mobility Erasmus+ projects are very affected and redefined as well. Lack of possibility to travel and the concerns about health most brought youth mobility participation to a halt. The uncertain coming status is testing the international youth co-operation and limiting the implementation of Erasmus+ programs in Europe and abroad when it is probably most needed. Coronavirus is not only a global health pandemic but is putting youth mobilities progression and young generation in jeopardy of losing opoortunity for growth and development.
As in many other aspects of life, young people participation in sport has been restricted in accordance with the global Coronavirus’s restrictions measures. In the current situation of the global health pandemic, as the virus spreads across the world, national and international sport events are also facing special challenges and been affected of the pandemic worldwide. To begin, grass roots sports is highly affected. The pandemic has limited young people’s participation in national and international sport events due to many suspended and postponed competitions and trainings. Several national sport clubs are in a struggle to survive and at a risk of not being able to continue after the pandemic.

Engagement in play and sports gives young people opportunities for natural self-expression, self confidence, relief of tension, achievement, social interaction and integration as well as for learning the spirit of solidarity and fair play. These positive effects also help counteract the risks and harm caused by the demanding, competitive, stressful and sedentary way of life that is so common in young people’s lives today.
We believe that the magic of sport in action can help to overcome the psycho consequences of the pandemic. Sport is undeniable and important tool in the healing process to overcome a psycho-socio trauma, as it brings joy and fun to people’s lives. Alongside its importance, it can alleviate the negative effects of the trauma as well as empowering communities to bridge among themselves and stand in solidarity.

Therefore, the main aim of our project is to equip youth workers with knowledge and skills how to use sport and physical activity as a tool for improving psycho - physical resilience of young people in society, with a focus on those with fewer opportunities.
The objectives of the training are in brief:
– To share our realities with the situations about inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities in our communities and
different youth work programmes related to psycho - physical resilience of young people
– To promote and explore the concepts “sports for all” and “healthy lifestyle” in relation with youth work
– To explore the youth work and youth trainings in connection to improve psycho - physical resilience of young people
– To raise competences in organising quality youth work with sport methodology with adequate mental and physical development of beneficiaries
– To share different sport methods useful for our youth work in every day work with youngsters mainstream and with fewer opportunities
– To share and understand challenges in implementation of quality sport methods in youth work for inclusion and intercultural acceptance of young people with fewer opportunities
– To define and develop basic plans for local/national workshops of youth workers and youngsters with using sports as methods for psycho - physical resilience of young people
– To establish Community of youth trainers and youth workers for youth sport work
The benefits of sport have reached beyond the physical and well-being impact. Today, sport has an inherent ability to promote psycho-social developments and to bridge people from different cultures and backgrounds. The value of sport as a tool for improvement of psycho - physical resilience of young people will be highly demanded in after pandemic times.
With our project we would like to prepare youth work sector and youth workers to be able to address those needs.