January 2024 - December 2026

 

About the Project

The SURE (Sport for Unity, Resilience and Empowerment) project is designed to enhance cooperation within the organized sport movement, with the goal of strengthening its ability to support local communities - especially those from vulnerable socio-economic backgrounds - in times of crisis such as pandemics, displacement, or energy shortages.

 

Project Focus

SURE is built around three central questions:

• How can grassroots sport become more accessible?

• How can sports be made more affordable?

• How can sport help prevent dropout during crises?
   

At its core, SURE addresses inclusion and intersectionality - ensuring that the voices and needs of underrepresented groups are heard and reflected in every stage of the project.

 

Project Objectives

The SURE project aims to:

1. Build knowledge about the strengths and limitations of existing cooperation models between sports organizations and local community actors.

2. Create spaces within the organized sport movement to hear from individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those facing multiple forms of discrimination.

3. Develop and test a cooperative model that supports the long-term, inclusive participation of vulnerable groups in sport.

4. Encourage the implementation of joint initiatives and community events with diverse stakeholders.

5. Strengthen dialogue and collaboration between different sectors and organizations.

 

Project Partners:

• European Non-Governmental Sports Organization (Sweden),

• 100% SPORT – Austrian Center of Excellence for Gender Equality & SAFE SPORT (Austria),

• Secretaria Regional da Saude eDesporto – Acores (Portugal),

• Finlands Svenska Idrott (Finland),

• Hrvatski Olimpijski Odbor (Croatia),

• Olympic Committee of Serbia (Serbia),

• Triple ThreaT (Netherlands),

• Organizzazione Per l’Educazione allo Sport (Italy),

• Sportunity (Luxembourg),

• Budapesti Egyesület a Nemzetközi Sportért (Hungary),

• Sport Social Solutions Skopje (North Macedonia).

 

Associated Partners:

• University Niccolò Cusano (Italy),

• Comite National Olympique et Sportif Francais (France),

• Makedonski Olimpiski Komitet Skopje (North Macedonia),

• NOC of Ukraine (Ukraine),

• Österreichische Bundes-Sportorganisation (Austria).

 

What to Expect

Throughout its 36-month duration, the SURE project will:

• Conduct research and consultations involving underrepresented and vulnerable groups.

• Co-develop tools, models, and recommendations to improve inclusivity in sport.

• Host local and international events to share findings and test inclusive approaches.

• Strengthen collaboration between sports bodies, policy-makers, and community organizations.

 

SURE is committed to building a more resilient, inclusive sport system that benefits everyone - especially those who have historically faced barriers to participation.