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









