CrosSport Sport for Inclusion Activist (S.I.A.) Training Event Successfully Held in Athens

Athens, June 8, 2024

The International Olympic Truce Centre (IOTC), in collaboration with Yoga and Sports for Refugees and ActionAid Hellas, hosted the CrosSport Sport for Inclusion Activist (S.I.A.) Training Event on June 7, 2024. The event took place at the ActionAid Hellas Community Centre in Kolonos, Athens, bringing together 26 participants, including 15 refugees aged 16 to 29, along with coaches, trainers, and sports volunteers.

The S.I.A. Training Event is part of the CrosSport initiative, an ambitious project funded by the European Union and coordinated by ICSS EUROPE. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the International Olympic Truce Centre (Greece), Fondazione SS Lazio 1900 (Italy), and Fundación Sevilla FC (Spain). Conceived as an EU Preparatory Action, CrosSport aims to test and develop new policies, programmes, and actions that can be expanded and implemented across the European Union to address contemporary challenges and promote the social inclusion of refugees through sport.

The training event focused on fostering interaction and exchange between young refugees and host communities through sport. By promoting the figure of the “Sport for Inclusion Activist (SIA)” among refugees from various communities, the project aims to develop their skills to act as “Agents of Change”. Participants engaged in intensive training designed to enhance their abilities in capacity building, community engagement, and social inclusion, with a special emphasis on gender equality and empowerment through sport. The vital role of host communities in this process was also highlighted.

The event was marked by a series of workshops, practical sessions, and discussions, all aimed at equipping participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to drive social change in their communities. The interactive nature of the training fostered a sense of solidarity and mutual understanding among the participants, paving the way for stronger, more inclusive communities.

The CrosSport initiative continues to build momentum, and the lessons learned from this training event will be invaluable in shaping future activities and expanding the project’s reach. The IOTC, along with its partners, remains committed to promoting social inclusion and empowerment through sport and looks forward to its continued success.