Sport, circus and mental health support for young refugees: Sports Without Borders project kicks off in Bergamo, Italy

The Empowering Youth Through Sports, Circus Arts & Mental Health Support (Sports Without Borders) project is a new initiative designed to uplift and empower displaced children (ages 6–12) and young people (ages 13–22). By combining traditional sports, circus arts, and mental health support, the project takes an innovative, holistic approach to well-being and inclusion.

The project officially launched with an online kick-off meeting in July 2025, followed by the first in-person meeting on 11–12 September in Bergamo, Italy.

Coordinated by Sport Indoor (Italy), the project brings together partners from across Europe: X23 Science in Society (Italy), Kabubu (France), Red Deporte (Spain), Huis Voor Beweging – House of Movement (Netherlands), Monokyklo (Greece), and ENGSO. Together, they aim to strengthen both the physical and psychological well-being of young refugees while fostering their social integration in host communities.

At its core, the mission is to create safe, supportive environments for 150 displaced children and youth, equipping them with essential life skills and resources. Through the integration of sports, circus arts, and mental health practices, participants can not only heal but also grow, thrive, and engage meaningfully in their new societies.

Why it matters: Sport Without Borders offers a unique, inclusive model that bridges physical activity, creativity, and psychological care—helping young displaced people find belonging, resilience, and hope for the future.

The project’s activities include:

Conducting research on innovative integration models
Developing an online training course for trainers and coaches
Organising local and international sports and circus events
Running an in-depth communication campaign
Publishing resources on sports, social circus, and mental health support

Take our survey on sport for social inclusion

Sport, social circus and mental health support go hand in hand to empower individuals and strengthen communities. Now, we’d love to hear from you.

By sharing your experiences and ideas, you’ll help us design programs that better support young people and communities everywhere.

🕒 It only takes 7–10 minutes
🌐 Available in multiple languages

Take the survey depending on the group you represent:

Youth (refugees aged 13-22): click here

Sports Organisations: click here

Local Community Members: click here

Support Organisations: click here

Thank you for contributing to this mission of inclusion, creativity, and well-being!

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.