Sports as Value - sports as value: partnership cooperation to build the capacity of sport managers and coaches in Balkan region to promote values in and through sport

“Sports as Value” is a capacity-building project in the field of sport that will involve 9 partners from 8 countries from the EU and the Balkan region. This collaboration will aim to build the capacity of sport clubs, organizations and federations to integrate positive values in the sport practice at the grassroots level in a structured, dynamic and systematic way. In a region historically fragmented, deeply marked by the consequences of armed and violent conflicts and in the current context characterized by a military and humanitarian crisis at the EU’s door, such partnership contributes to the promotion of common European values, while building stronger communities and peaceful societies. In this context, Sport as Value, will serve as prevention and mitigation of existing and future conflicts by promoting EU values within the communities in and through sport. On the one hand, a value-based approach in sport has a positive impact in promoting an open and safe environment which favors individuals’ development. On the other hand, the effects that sport has on the promotion of positive values go beyond the sport field and contribute to the development of cohesive societies and stronger, fais, peaceful and connected communities. “Sports as Value” will address the needs of the sport organizations in the Balkan countries. Indeed, if they all recognise the profound connections between sport and values, they also acknowledge that existing programs mainly focus on competitive elite sport, lack efficient monitoring and effective evaluation, thus having limited impact and sustainability. The project will include a research part to increase general knowledge and understanding of grassroots sport structures in the region, while raising the capacity of sport managers, coaches, and volunteers through workshops. A joint action will take place in the 4 countries of Region 1, together with a harmonized communication and cooperative management.