Meet the partners through CHANGE project: BASICS!

December 2023

In the vibrant city of Bruges, a non-profit organization is rewriting the narrative of sports, one grassroots initiative at a time. BASICS! stands at the forefront, offering sports opportunities to children and adults alike, transcending barriers and fostering a community united by the love of sports, innovation, and culture. 

What is the primary objective of BASICS! and its unique approach to sports?

Our main goal is to bring sports to children from all walks of life. We conduct small group activities led by certified teachers, fostering a sense of family through sports, innovation, and culture. Our approach is all-encompassing, extending our services to adults since 2023. This allows parents to join sports sessions while their children engage in similar activities, contributing to a vibrant sports community.

Who are the key stakeholders in BASICS! and how do they contribute to the organization’s vision?

Our primary stakeholders are the children and parents benefiting from our programs. Collaboration extends to coaches, trainers, local schools, and Gymfed—a key partner providing valuable insights from the sports field. Our board, with diverse backgrounds, brings rich knowledge to the table, steering BASICS! towards becoming a leading local sports provider.

Could you elaborate on the services BASICS! provides and the people behind the organization?

Our core service is offering sports activities for children, recently extending to adults. Governed by a dedicated board of five members, each balancing their duties with regular jobs, we have a secretary and coordinators contributing to daily operations. Our commitment lies in making sports accessible to all, emphasizing community building.

How is BASICS! contributing to the CHANGE Project, and what role do you play in its various stages?

Our involvement is operational, with contributions across multiple work packages. While not part of the initial research phase, we actively participate in testing events, providing on-the-ground feedback. Collaborating with Karin Books from Malmö University has strengthened our findings, and we look forward to the tools and insights that CHANGE will offer for the benefit of grassroots sports across Europe.

In essence, BASICS! is not just an organization—it’s a catalyst for positive change through sports, actively shaping the future of grassroots sports in collaboration with the CHANGE Project.

CHANGE – Cooperation for Change Management and Innovation in Sports is a 36-month project involving 11 partners from 9 different countries:
  • European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO) – Sweden
  • Malmö University (MAU) – Sweden
  • N3xt sports – Spain
  • European Association for Sport management (EASM) –  The Netherlands
  • Organizzazione Per l’Educazione allo Sport (OPES) – Italy
  • Latvian Sports Federations Council (LSFC) – Latvia
  • World Snowboard Federation (WSF) –  Austria
  • Union of sports Federations in Catalunya (UFEC) – Spain
  • Basics sports club (Basics) – Belgium
  • Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) – Switzerland
  • The National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF) – Denmark