S-POINT

S-POINT - Sports Lab on youth social development

Start:  01-03-2023
End: 29-02-2024
PROJECT NUMBER  2022-3-PL01-KA153-YOU-000099455

About the Project

The S-POINT project is a European initiative designed to combat youth social exclusion and marginalization through the use of sports as an educational tool. Recognizing sports’ role in promoting personal development and societal peace, the project engages youth in active participation and experiential learning. Developed by young people for young people, S-POINT aims to equip youth workers with essential skills and methodologies to effectively implement sports for social development.

With a focus on disadvantaged youth in underprivileged rural and urban areas, the project seeks to foster intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and tolerance among diverse groups. Through two main activities—a Seminar in Greece and a Training Course in Poland—participants will develop a common understanding of the European Training Strategy (ETS) and learn to apply its tools in their communities.

S-POINT addresses critical needs such as enhancing the skills of youth workers, promoting non-formal education, and building a sustainable youth network. By aligning with the Erasmus+ Program and the EU Youth Strategy, S-POINT aims to improve educational opportunities and employability for young people across Europe, ultimately creating more inclusive and engaged communities.

Specific Objectives

The S-POINT project aims to combat youth social exclusion through several key objectives. It seeks to raise awareness of intercultural dialogue and foster understanding among young Europeans from diverse backgrounds, while highlighting the importance of social inclusion, particularly for disadvantaged cultural and ethnic minority groups. The project focuses on developing essential skills and competencies in youth to become active, sporty, and health-conscious citizens, encouraging them to advocate for inclusion, tolerance, and healthy living within their communities. Additionally, S-POINT provides practical opportunities for disadvantaged youth through sport-based non-formal education, enhancing their life skills and employability. Collectively, these objectives promote inclusive and engaged communities, utilizing sports as a powerful educational tool for personal and societal development.

More briefly, the objectives are as follows:

  • Raises awareness of the importance of intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and tolerance among young Europeans from diverse backgrounds.
  •  Highlights the significance of social inclusion, especially for young people from disadvantaged cultural and ethnic minority groups.
  • Develops skills and competencies in young people to become active, sporty, and health-conscious European citizens.
  • Encourages young people to advocate for inclusion, tolerance, dialogue, and healthy living in their communities.
  • Provides opportunities for disadvantaged youth through sport-based non-formal education.

Project Activities

Activity S-Point A1

  • Educational Integration: To effectively incorporate sport as a tool for education, emphasizing experiential learning.
  • Team Building: To foster participant rapport and enhance teamwork.
  • Cultural Exchange: To raise awareness of sustainable development and intercultural dialogue.

S-POINT A1, held from January 15 to January 20, 2024, in Thessaloniki, Greece, aimed to integrate sports as an educational tool through a structured program. The activities began with introductory exercises to build rapport, followed by team building on Day 2 and an overview of sustainable development alongside an intercultural night on Day 3. Day 4 focused on education FOR and BY sport, featuring a City Bingo activity to connect with the local environment. On Day 5, participants engaged in education THROUGH sport using the Move & Learn Manual ISCA. The final days included practical preparations, evaluations, and a farewell party, fostering a collaborative and impactful learning experience.

Activity S-Point A2

Originally planned for Warsaw, Poland, but held online from February 12 to February 16, 2024.

Objectives

  • Adaptation to Online Learning: To maintain engagement and collaboration among participants despite the format change.
  • Continued Education: To enhance skills in sport-based education, similar to S-POINT A1.

S-POINT A2 mirrored the structure of S-POINT A1 but transitioned to an online format due to unforeseen circumstances and ongoing restrictions. The program utilized platforms like Zoom to facilitate interactive sessions, ensuring active participation and effective communication among participants. Sessions were adapted to fit the online environment, with regular meetings to keep everyone aligned with the project goals and objectives.

Both activities aimed to enhance youth education through sports, with S-POINT A1 focusing on in-person experiential learning in Greece and S-POINT A2 adapting to an online format while maintaining the project’s core objectives. The successful execution of both activities underscored the commitment to sustainability, effective communication, and flexibility in addressing challenges.

Partnership

Deliverables