Author name: PolonaFonda

Poland

Case 4: Warsaw 2

Case 4: Warsaw 2 Name of project / programme: Year of start / opening: Country: Target group: Age: City size: Type of sport: Kavkaz Wrestling Club 2021 (informal activities since 2019) Poland Refugees, migrants (primarily Chechen origin), socially disadvantaged youth Youth and adolescents more than 100.000 inhabitants Combat sports (wrestling, sambo, judo, strength and conditioning) Content of project / programme Short description: The Kavkaz Wrestling Club is a Warsaw-based sports initiative operating under the Kavkaz Association. It provides structured wrestling and combat sports training primarily for refugee and migrant youth. The club integrates athletic development with educational and social support. Long description: The Kavkaz Wrestling Club is run by the Kavkaz Association, a Warsaw-based NGO formally registered in 2021. The club evolved from informal training activities initiated in 2019, mainly targeting youth of Chechen origin. As of 2023, over 75% of participants are from refugee or migrant backgrounds. The club offers regular training in wrestling, sambo, judo, and general physical preparation. Training is provided at different intensity levels, ranging from 3 to 11 sessions per week. Groups are structured according to participants’ age, experience level, and sport-specific discipline. The coaching staff includes former athletes and licensed trainers. Kavkaz also implements complementary educational activities. In 2023, it launched an alternative schooling programme based on home education principles. Participants combine daily sports training with tutoring and vocational internships, mainly through cooperation with a private company (IVITER). Additional support includes provision of meals and assistance in navigating administrative systems (e.g. residency, health care, legal aid). The club’s sports achievements include multiple national medals in freestyle wrestling, including youth and junior categories. Its athletes have represented Poland at European and world championship levels. In 2023, the club organised several major events, including the Polish U22 Championships and the Sambo Kavkaz Cup. Funding sources include private sponsors (notably IVITER), short-term project-based public funding, and in-kind support. The club uses facilities provided on a low-cost basis and relies partly on voluntary work from coaches and community members. Operational continuity depends significantly on the engagement of the founding members and external partner contributions. Aspects of good practice: The Kavkaz Wrestling Club is considered a good practice because:– it reaches an underrepresented target group through sport;– it combines athletic, educational, and social elements in one programme;– it operates with limited infrastructure through network-based cooperation;– it delivers results in both competitive sport and community engagement;– it engages public and private actors, including local business partners. Link to the website

Poland

Case 3: Radom

Case 3: Radom Name of project / programme: Year of start / opening: Country: Target group: Age: City size: Type of sport: Futbol Plus (Radomiak Radom) 2021 Poland Children and young people with intellectual and physical disabilities Children and adolescents more than 100.000 inhabitants Ball games (football) Content of project / programme Short description: Futbol Plus is an inclusive football programme based in Radom, Poland. Run by the Radomiak Radom Foundation, it provides structured training for children with disabilities as part of the nationwide PZU Futbol Plus initiative. The project promotes equal access to sport, fostering integration and personal development among young people. Long description: Futbol Plus, launched in 2021 by the Radomiak Radom Foundation, is a grassroots football initiative tailored for children and adolescents with a range of disabilities, including physical and intellectual challenges. The project was initiated by Paweł Pietrzyk, a physiotherapist and community organiser, to address the absence of inclusive sports programmes in the city of Radom. From its humble beginnings with two training groups, the project has expanded to accommodate approximately 180 children across ten teams, making it the largest programme of its kind in Poland. Futbol Plus is integrated into the structure of a professional football club, Radomiak Radom, which provides visibility, facilities, and organisational support. Training sessions are conducted by a team of qualified coaches, physiotherapists, and volunteers. Athletes are grouped based on their functional capabilities rather than medical diagnoses, ensuring balanced and meaningful participation. The sessions focus not only on physical fitness and football skills but also on fostering social bonds, independence, and emotional wellbeing. The initiative participates in national competitions like ‘Futbol bez barier’ (football without barriers) and regularly organises large tournaments and community events. Its holistic approach combines sport, therapy, and education, offering children opportunities for personal development in a supportive environment. It also influences broader public awareness and local policy, contributing to greater inclusion of people with disabilities in sports. The programme receives funding from various sources, including the Ministry of Sport, local authorities, PZU, and private donors. Despite these successes, long-term sustainability remains a challenge, with the project heavily reliant on the personal dedication of its founder. Nevertheless, Futbol Plus stands out as a replicable and scalable model for inclusive sport initiatives linked to professional football structures.   Aspects of good practice: Futbol Plus is considered a good practice because:– it reaches a typically excluded population with few other sport opportunities;– it adapts to a wide range of disabilities, grouping participants by ability rather than diagnosis;– it integrates medical, social, and educational components into a football-based programme;– it leverages the brand and infrastructure of a professional club to build legitimacy and visibility;– it mobilises a local network of stakeholders and volunteers;– it has demonstrated high levels of participation and community engagement. Link to the website

Poland

Case 2: Gdańsk

Case 2: Gdańsk Name of project / programme: Year of start / opening: Country: Target group: Age: City size: Type of sport: Ekstra FAN 2015 Poland socially disadvantaged adults, overweight individuals, football fans 35–60 years more than 100.000 inhabitants Mixed activities (fitness, football, aerobic) Content of project / programme Short description: Ekstra FAN is a sport-health programme based in Gdańsk, Poland, dedicated to adult football fans with overweight and sedentary lifestyles. The initiative provides free-of-charge structured physical activity, nutrition counselling, and psychological support to foster long-term health improvements. Long description: Ekstra FAN was launched in 2015 as a collaborative project between Stadion Energa Gdańsk, Gdańsk Health Promotion Centre, and local sports clubs such as Lechia Gdańsk and Trefl Gdańsk. Inspired by the British programme Football Fans in Training, the initiative targets adults aged 35 to 60 years with high BMI indexes, aiming to reduce health inequalities through structured lifestyle change. The project runs in seasonal cycles of 12 weeks, where selected participants—based on BMI and medical qualification—take part in twice-weekly training sessions complemented by educational workshops on nutrition, physical activity, and health psychology. A key innovation of Ekstra FAN is its use of the emotional connection between fans and their club to foster sustained engagement and reduce dropout rates. Sessions are held in the stadium or local sport facilities. In addition to training, participants receive professional health assessments at the beginning, middle, and end of the programme, including follow-up checks after several months to assess long-term impact. A refundable deposit is required to encourage commitment. Ekstra FAN is available in both male and female editions (Ekstra FAN Ladies), with strong support from local institutions and sports organisations. The project has demonstrated measurable outcomes, with average participant weight loss exceeding 6 kg per cycle. It also builds social bonds and increases participants’ sense of self-efficacy and wellbeing. The initiative is scalable and has been proposed as a model for local governments and sport clubs to integrate public health promotion into their community outreach activities. Ekstra FAN exemplifies the use of sports identity to engage otherwise excluded or hard-to-reach groups. The project has ended in 2021 mainly due to pandemic. Aspects of good practice: Ekstra FAN is considered a good practice because:– it successfully engages a hard-to-reach group (middle-aged sedentary men and women with overweight);– it integrates health education with physical activity in a structured, accessible format;– it leverages the strong emotional bond between sports clubs and their fans to increase motivation and retention;– it offers a multidisciplinary approach involving medical professionals, trainers, and psychologists;– it is embedded in local infrastructure, using stadium facilities and community networks;– it is scalable and adaptable to other localities and clubs.

Poland

Case 1: Warsaw 1

Case 1: Warsaw 1 Name of project / programme: Year of start / opening: Country: Target group: Age: City size: Type of sport: Etnoliga 2005 Poland refugees, ethnic minority, women, social-economically disadvantaged youth, adults more than 100.000 inhabitants Ball games (soccer) Content of project / programme Short description: Etnoliga is a grassroots football initiative based in Warsaw, Poland, founded in 2005. It promotes multicultural integration and inclusion through sport. Open to people of various nationalities, genders, and backgrounds, the project uses football as a tool for social connection and community building. Long description: Etnoliga is a long-standing intercultural football league that began in 2005 with a one-time tournament for Chechen and African refugees and Polish students. Due to growing interest, the league became a regular programme, launching a full season in 2010. Etnoliga is organized by the Fundacja dla Wolności (Freedom Foundation) and has since evolved into a multifaceted initiative integrating migrants, refugees, and local residents through football. Matches are played in mixed-gender and multinational teams, with league regulations requiring a minimum of three nationalities and at least two women per team. Participation is free of charge, reducing barriers for individuals with lower socioeconomic status. Fair play and social contributions (like volunteer activity) are rewarded through a points system. Etnoliga currently hosts over 700 regular participants from more than 60 countries, including Ukraine, Nigeria, Colombia, and Turkey. Many participants come from marginalised backgrounds, including asylum seekers who have limited access to other public activities. The project’s accessibility and open format make it one of the few options for such individuals to actively engage in a social environment. The initiative is also accompanied by training academies for children, social events, cultural exchanges, and collaborative workshops. Its junior academy began in 2012, originally focused on children from the Caucasus, and now includes many young Ukrainian refugees. Etnoliga has received international recognition, including a UEFA Grassroots Award in 2020. It partners with several institutions such as the Fare Network, PZPN, and the City of Warsaw. The project is deeply embedded in local networks and exemplifies how sport can function as a vehicle for intercultural dialogue, inclusion, and urban cohesion. Aspects of good practice: Etnoliga is considered a good practice because: it successfully reaches its diverse and marginalised target groups; it removes participation barriers by being entirely free of charge; It is consistently organized (30th edition in 2025, despite the model of financing NGO initiatives in Poland, focusing on a new projects) it builds inter-sectoral and intercultural networks, engaging local governments, NGOs, and international partners; it promotes gender equality and social inclusion through mandatory mixed-gender teams and inclusive policies; it combines sport with broader educational and integration objectives; it is embedded in an ecosystem of social, cultural, and educational activities;it has been recognised by international organisations for its innovative approach to inclusion through sport. Link to the website

Norway

Case 6: Stavanger

Case 6: Stavanger Name of project / programme: Year of start / opening: Country: Target group: Age: City size: Type of sport: IM – Lekser – Idrett – Mat (Homwork – Sport – Food) Norway people with disabilities children, youth more than 100.000 inhabitants Other: Multi sports Content of project / programme Short description: Long description: Aspects of good practice: Link to the website

Norway

Case 5: Bergen

Case 5: Bergen Name of project / programme: Year of start / opening: Country: Target group: Age: City size: Type of sport: IM – Lekser – Idrett – Mat (Homwork – Sport – Food) 2017 Norway Social-economically disadvantaged children more than 100.000 inhabitants Ball games (e.g. soccer, basketball, volleyball….) Content of project / programme Short description: Free of charge, after school activity for children (6-12 years) in parts of Bergen with high numbers of minorities with low socioeconomical status. Collaboration between sport clubs and schools. Long description: This free of charge, after school activity in Bergen started in 2017 at one of the primary schools (Slettebakken Skole). At first it was initiated as a collaboration between the school and one local sport club (Trane), but different sport clubs were invited to participate, giving the children introduction to various sports. By introducing children to various sports and sport clubs, the idea is that the participation in organized sport will increase. The local school, on the other hand, allocated resources for free food and help for the children to do homework. As many of them came from families with minority background, the school experienced that parents had less resources to help their children with homework. By joining forces, the local school and the local sport clubs aimed for better integration. LIM is organized and coordinated by Bergen Sports Council, where resources is allocated for a program coordinator. The program has been funded by the City of Bergen since 2017, but also by other public and private sources. The Sport Council plays an important part in organizing and coordinating the activity, but also when it comes to raising awareness and fundraising. In 2021 the program was extended with one new local school, and then again in 2023. During the academic year of 2024/2025 four different schools and their local sport clubs have been enrolled into the LIM-project. Based on the LIM-projects own calculations, 50-70% of the children in these areas participate in LIM. The City of Bergen is still central in funding the project, and at the same time both sport clubs and the schools allocate resources to run the project. Aspects of good practice: LIM is considered a good practice because… Participation of target group Strong co-ordinator retains overview of activities and people involved Clear goals, e.g. inclusion, empowerment, etc. Link to the website Picture 10: Basketball practice at LIM Bergen. Photo credit: LIM

Norway

Case 4: Kristiansund

Case 4: Kristiansund Name of project / programme: Year of start / opening: Country: Target group: Age: City size: Type of sport: Ett slag av gangen – Kristiansund 2022 Norway more than 30.000 and less than 100.000 inhabitants Ball games (e.g. soccer, basketball, volleyball….) Content of project / programme Short description: ESAG is a non-profit foundation that uses golf as a coping area for people with different challenges. The socialization and mastery of new skills from regular golf training helps the participants to cope with normal everyday life. Long description: Ett slag av gangen (ESAG) is an association that uses golf as a coping arena for people with drug addiction, mental illness, convicted and released people, young people who experience exclusion and minorities. Golf is therefore used as a means for people with challenges to return to a “normal society”. ESAG is a non-profit association that seeks funds and provides support to golf clubs that want to run activity programs for their target group. Kristiansund Golf Club established ESAG in their club three years ago. In addition to collaborating with ESAG centrally, they collaborate locally with the municipality (Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse) and the Correctional Service. They are also actively working to establish collaboration with NAV (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration). The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse provides information about ESAG to people they follow up with. The municipality has also contributed by transporting participants to and from the golf course, especially at the start of the project. Employees from the municipality have also participated as supporters for the participants during training and contributed with their knowledge about the user group. The financial support comes mainly from ESAG centrally, but the golf club in Kristiansund also has its local sponsors. In Kristiansund, there has been a relatively stable group of participants for several years, but new participants are welcome. The group has a fixed training time once a week, also during public holidays. The training takes place both outside on the golf course and inside using golf simulators and ends with socializing and lunch. The trainers are volunteers affiliated with the golf club and one of the participants is now the first to carry out a training course himself. The offer is free for the participants. The club provides equipment. Aspects of good practice: ESAG in Kristiansund is considered a good practice because… Of long-term participation of target group Of meaningful involvement of target group Of stable and regular activity Financial sustainability trough the ESAG foundation Link to the website Picture 7: Ett slag av gangen in Kristiansund. Photo credit: Hildur Mollan Vesterås

Norway

Case 3: Drammen

Case 3: Drammen Name of project / programme: Year of start / opening: Country: Target group: Age: City size: Type of sport: DNT Adapted (DNT tilrettelagt) 2014 Norway Social-economically disadvantaged children, youth, seniors more than 100.000 inhabitants Exercises to enhance general fitness / health, Playful movement, Ball games (e.g. soccer, basketball, volleyball….), Bouldering / climbing, Track and field, Snow sports Content of project / programme Short description: “Aktive lokalsamfunn” is a model that involves all the municipality`s districts. The model is mostly based on a collaboration between local sport clubs and their nearby schools and contributes to activity both in- and outside of school. Long description: “Aktive lokalsamfunn” is a model where the schools, sport clubs and volunteers facilitate the joy of movement in primary school age, youth sports on the youth’s terms and the development of local communities with activity across generations. “Aktive lokalsamfunn” is not a fixed model and is constantly evolving and involves many different sports and other activities in the local community. Local resources and facilities are linked together and take responsibility for developing local activities. A characteristic of “Aktive lokalsamfunn” is that the large multi-sports clubs in the municipality take on an extended responsibility for creating increased activity among children and young people. Among other things, professionals from the sport clubs organize various activities and sports in schools and kindergartens regularly. This ensures a more active school day and also lowers the threshold for children to participate in organized sports in their free time. Open sport halls outside of school hours with volunteer guards, as well as services that contribute to activity for the elderly are also part of the model for several of the local communities in the municipality. The confederation of sports and the sports council were central to the start of what would later be called “Aktive lokalsamfunn”. When Drammen Municipality adopted an hour of physical activity in schools in 2014, the confederation of sports and the sports council brought together leaders from the schools and the municipality’s large multi-sports teams to discuss how they could make this possible together. This was the start of a social model where Sport clubs and their local communities take initiatives and ownership of their own projects. The municipal sport council seems to still be a driving force and advisor for the start-up of new local projects. An important foundation for co-creation is also the employment of an activity and community developer in all the large multi-sport clubs. Funds for these positions come from a joint effort from the Municipality, the Sports Council, and foundations. Drammen is a municipality with a high immigrant population and a relatively high proportion of children in low-income families. Drammen also stand out in that significantly fewer young people participate in a leisure organization, including sports. Most of the activities in “Aktive lokalsamfunn” are aimed at children and young people in general. Since the activities are free and offered in schools and in the local environment, it reaches many children from low-income families who might not otherwise participate in sports activities. Aspects of good practice: Aktive lokalsamfunn is considered a good practice because… It has expanded to involve all the city districts in- Drammen. It reaches different kind of target groups including social-economically disadvantaged it shows a high quality of long-term cooperation and co-creation of Meaningful involvement of target group of financial sustainability Link to the website Picture 5: Aktive lokalsamfunn engages children and youth. Photo credit: Aktive Lokalsamfunn

Norway

Case 2: Molde

Case 2: Molde Name of project / programme: Year of start / opening: Country: Target group: Age: City size: Type of sport: DNT Adapted (DNT tilrettelagt) 2016 Norway people with disabilities more than 30.000 and less than 100.000 inhabitants Other: outdoor leisure activities Content of project / programme Short description: DNT Adapted gives people with disabilities an opportunity to participate in outdoor leisure activities, with an aim to increase their physical activity and social participation levels. Long description: The Norwegian Trekking Association’s (DNT) local branch, DNT Romsdal, organizes DNT Adapted events every month. The goal of DNT Adapted is that through joint and adapted activities, people with different functional levels can experience an inclusive and good arena for meeting and having fun together with others. The target groups include everyone with different needs for adaptation and their families, friends and support staff. The monthly events are carried out in all seasons of the year, and includes for instance short hikes in the forest, skiing activities, visits to open activity farms etc. The activities are is carried out in the afternoons, which is normally a time of the day with few activities for the target group. DNT Romsdal is collaborating with several local stakeholders depending on the chosen activities. The regional municipality contributes with financial support so that DNT Romsdal can focus on the activities. The regional confederation of sports is contributing to the project by engaging and supporting local sport clubs. An important collaboration partner is the Molde University College and the students from the social care education programme. In addition, volunteers from the target group assist in the implementation of the activities. Aspects of good practice: DNT Adapted is considered a good practice because of: Participation of target group Meaningful involvement of target group High quality of collaboration / co-creation Clear goals, e.g. inclusion, empowerment, etc. Capacity building internal Link to the website Picture 3: Molde: DNT tilrettelagt. Photo credit: DNT

Norway

Case 1: Oslo

Case 1: Oslo Name of project / programme: Year of start / opening: Country: Target group: Age: City size: Type of sport: Idrettshoder (Sports heads) 2020 Norway Social-economically disadvantaged children more than 100.000 inhabitants Other: ice hockey Content of project / programme Short description: Idrettshoder has developed a model for how schools and sports clubs can cooperate in practice, aiming to give all children the opportunity to participate in sports, regardless of family background. Long description: “Idrettshoder” is a project that aims at developing new solutions for recruiting and including children in organized sports in Norway. It emphasises that close cooperation between schools and sports clubs is the key to including more people and aims at developing a model for how schools and sports clubs can cooperate in practice, that can be shared across municipalities in Norway. The “Idrettshoder” model presupposes that sports are an important arena for growing up. For children and young people, sports can be an arena for coping and self-expression. Participating in a sports club can provide unity and friendship for life and strengthen belonging to the local community. Physical activity in childhood lays the foundation for good living habits and life-long health. However, participation in sports is unequal, and children with an immigrant background or from low-income families are often prevented from participating in organized sport. The reasons are multiple, and includes costs related to participation, parental involvement and little knowledge of sports and the Norwegian volunteer model. The “Idrettshoder” project has been developed to overcome these barriers. Through “Idrettshoder”, all children in grades 1-4 have the opportunity to participate in a free activity program under the auspices of the local sports club during after-school hours. “Idrettshoder” has two main goals: To develop and implement a free after-school sports program for children in Oslo and the surrounding area. To develop and disseminate a model for how schools and sports clubs can collaborate to include children in organized sports, regardless of the sport. The core of the model is close collaboration with the schools. By offering activities during school hours, children who are otherwise at risk are reached. The schools know the children and their guardians and can therefore make a targeted effort to include those who do not currently participate in extracurricular activities. “Idrettshoder” started as “Håkkihoder” in 2020. Although the model aims at emphasising sport in general, so far the sport clubs involved has come from ice hockey. Aspects of good practice: Idrettshoder is considered a good practice because of: Participation of target group High quality of collaboration / co-creation Clear goals, e.g. inclusion, empowerment, etc. Link to the website

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