In order for displaced people in our locations to be able to join our free field sport activities, we run our Field Sport Campaign and try to secure the funding needed for the field rent for one year! We want to take this opportunity to highlight the importance that sport, specifically team sport, has for those living in uncertainty and poor conditions. In particular, sport builds resilience and improves mental and physical wellbeing.
The refugee crisis on the European borders has drastic effects on internationally displaced people. While many face bad living conditions and a lack of support and structure, this have detrimental effects on their mental and physical well-being. Hospitable attitudes with little judgement in local communities and spaces are unfortunately scarce in Greece for people on the move, and many are lacking free and positive opportunities to escape the difficult nature of daily life.
Through the power of sport we can build communities, come together in an open space, increase our mental and physical well-being and enjoy togetherness. In our projects in three locations in Greece and in Paris, we provide free sport courses for and with refugees. There, they can set aside their daily challenges and sweat, breathe, share their skills and become #strongertogether. In our Field Sport Campaign we aim to raise the cost needed in order to cover the rent of the fields for one year.
These opportunities have many momentary effects. Yet in the long-run, doing sport increases mental and physical well-being as well as resilience. Making it easier to face daily challenges, it makes long-term integration easier. In team sport especially, contacts and friendships are created which can last for a lifetime and create a network of support and solidarity throughout Europe. Building a healthier and happier community is necessary to facilitate integration.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).