Project Summary

In 2019 Champions Factory is official partner in the Erasmus+ Sport Small Collaborative partnership project “Move to improve” that will last for 12 months!

Statistics show that 90% of young people use computers and watch TV every day (Eurostat). This naturally leads to less physical activity, and consequently higher obesity and other health problems (WHO statistics show that prevalence of obesity nearly doubled between 1980 and 2018). At the same time, youth have less time for live communication with their peers; thus, can develop further social barriers. 

The problem and Needs analysis 

According to GHK study on “Volunteering in European Union”, sports voluntary activities are way more prevalent in North & West than in East Europe (i.e. especially in post-Soviet countries). For example, sport volunteering represents a significant share of the adult population in:

• Norway 30%-36%;

• Hungary 12.2%;

• Italy and Lithuania 10%;

• Bulgaria 6%.

Research shows that countries with higher levels of economic development and democratic political traditions are more likely to have a higher number of non-profit sport organisations. Therefore, a striking feature of most former communist and Eastern European countries in the EU has a low level of voluntary participation. Even in countries such as Hungary which had a long tradition of voluntary associations, the communist regime halted the development of the voluntary sector. 

Aim of the project

1. To promote social inclusion, equal opportunities, and awareness of the importance of health-enhancing physical activity through grassroots sports for underprivileged youth.

2. To promote voluntary activities in sport.

Target Groups

• Youth willing to volunteer in sports initiatives and use their skills in a multicultural environment, or simply participate in sports camps across the EU;

• Other youth & sports organisations in project partner countries (and later on across Europe);

• Youth, sport volunteers and organisations, as well as general public across the project countries will also increase awareness of the importance of social inclusion, equal opportunities and health-enhancing physical activity through increased participation in, and equal access to, sport for all. 

Main Activities

1. First meeting to prepare for general project managements (Calabria, Italy on January 29-30, 2019). This will ensure that partners will prepare for the whole project.

2. Training for Sports Volunteering Ambassadors (Kaunas, Lithuania, on March 20-24, 2019). 24 sports volunteers (staff of partner organizations) from Lithuania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy and Norway will participate. This will be done to encourage international sports volunteering and work in sports initiatives by following EU Sports policies. Special attention will be given to work with underprivileged young people.

3. International Grassroots Sports Camp for Underprivileged Youth – “Move To Improve” (Kaunas, Lithuania, on August 1-7, 2019.)

4. Motivational Online video creation contest to increase motivation for sports (hosted online in project countries on February-May, 2019).

5. “Move To Improve” Online Platform & Methodologies (created online and available across the EU during all the project’s span).

6. Final meeting to summarise and ensure exploitation of the project outcomes (Budapest, Hungary on August 23-24, 2019).