Sport for Environmentally Conscious and Sustainable Society
(SECoSS)
19 to 25 August 2024
From 19 to 25 August 2024, the Erasmus+ funded "Sport for Environmentally Conscious and Sustainable Society" (SECoSS) sports staff mobility project was successfully delivered in Ericeira, Portugal. Organized by the Budapest Association for International Sports and hosted by the Ericeira Surf Club, this initiative aimed to empower BAIS staff and volunteers to gain the skills and knowledge necessary for organizing environmentally friendly sports events, with a focus on social enterprises that combine sports and sustainability. The primary goal was to equip participants with the tools to bring these experiences back to their local communities in Hungary, promoting environmental awareness through sport.
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Throughout the week, participants engaged in activities to enhance their skills, including on-site facility visits, interactive workshops, peer-learning sessions and team-building exercises like community cooking and morning yoga, which fostered cooperation. Additionally, self-organized sporting events such as plogging, padel, biking, and surfing combined fun with environmental education. Workshops and interactive sessions further deepened their understanding of sports' role in promoting sustainability.
A key aspect of the SECoSS project was the opportunity to learn directly from local sports organizations based in Ericeria. Participants visited Ericeira Surf Club, a Ericeria Beach Volleyball Club, Mafra Padel and a local biking club, where they observed firsthand how these organizations integrate sustainability into their operations. These job-shadowing visits provided valuable insights into the challenges local sports clubs face, particularly in relation to environmental sustainability, and demonstrated innovative practices that can be applied in other settings.
The SECoSS project had significant learning outcomes. Participants gained a deeper understanding of environmental awareness, climate goals, and sustainable development. They explored sports-oriented social enterprises and learned how to plan and run eco-friendly sporting events, which they will now implement in their communities.
The project has made a lasting impact on its participants and the Budapest Association for International Sports. It has enhanced their ability to contribute to the promotion of an environmentally conscious sports culture in Hungary, and we look forward to continuing these efforts in future initiatives. We would like to thank the Hungarian National Agency and the Erasmus+ program for their generous support in making the SECoSS project a success.