In June 2024, a youth worker from Spain had the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus+ project “Green Playgrounds: Promoting Inclusion and Environmental Awareness through Sports,” held in Paola, Italy. This international training course brought together youth workers from various countries who shared a passion for social inclusion, environmental protection, and the power of sports. The program focused on using physical activity as a bridge to connect young people, inspire environmental responsibility, and strengthen European values such as respect, diversity, and solidarity.
Before joining this project, many local communities in Spain were facing growing challenges related to youth engagement and environmental awareness. In some urban areas, children and teenagers had fewer opportunities to participate in inclusive sports activities. Sports programs often lacked diversity, and many young people from migrant or low-income backgrounds felt disconnected. At the same time, environmental education was not always integrated into youth programs, and the topic was usually limited to classroom-based learning. Asociacíon PROJUVEN, a youth NGO based in Spain, had already observed that many local youth groups needed new, creative ways to learn about sustainability and be more active in their neighborhoods.
The Erasmus+ training in Paola brought a fresh approach to both challenges. The most eye-opening part of the experience was how sports could be used to talk about difficult topics like inequality and climate change. One of the first activities in the training used a football match, but with changing rules that reflected unfair systems. Some teams received extra points or faced restrictions without explanation. This playful but powerful activity helped everyone understand how discrimination and privilege can affect young people in their everyday lives. After the game, participants shared personal stories and explored how to use similar methods with their own youth groups.
During the training, the participants also visited local initiatives where sports and environmental action were connected. In one local park in Paola, youth volunteers ran weekly games and workshops for children, using the environment as their classroom. Children learned how to recycle, save water, and respect nature—all through fun challenges and physical tasks. The trainers also introduced methods for linking sports with environmental topics, such as designing obstacle courses to represent climate change challenges, or running cooperative games that encourage teamwork and discussion about sustainability.
After returning to Spain, the youth worker from Asociacíon PROJUVEN felt inspired to take action. With the support of colleagues, they launched a new program called “EcoPlay: Games for Earth and Equality.” This initiative focused on organizing weekly sports-based activities for young people in areas with limited access to organized sports or environmental education. The sessions combined simple games, like relay races and team-building challenges, with discussions on topics such as plastic pollution, biodiversity, and inclusion. For example, one game involved building a “clean park” out of recyclable materials collected by the teams while they completed challenges around their neighborhood.
The connection between sport, community, and the environment quickly became clear. Many young people who previously were not interested in learning about environmental issues became excited when the topic was linked to movement and games. The program also helped participants develop new friendships and feel more connected to their community. A young participant, who had just moved to Spain from another country, shared that the games helped him feel welcomed and less shy, because he could join the activity without needing perfect language skills. Teachers and local youth workers reported that young people involved in EcoPlay were more motivated, confident, and willing to take part in other community events.
Asociacíon PROJUVEN started to share the success of the program with other youth organizations and schools. They created a simple guide with the activities and reflections learned during the Erasmus+ training. This guide helped other trainers and teachers bring similar methods into their own programs. The local municipality took interest as well, offering support for a bigger summer event called “EcoPlay Fest,” where youth from different backgrounds came together for a day of sports, environmental action, and cultural exchange. The event included games, workshops, and a community clean-up activity, ending with a picnic made with local and sustainable products.
This project not only changed the lives of the young participants but also showed the power of international cooperation. The training in Italy gave the youth worker a network of friends and professionals across Europe, who continued to support each other through online meetings and project planning. They exchanged ideas about how to adapt games to different cultures and how to include more voices in youth work. These connections helped Asociacíon PROJUVEN grow stronger as an organization and more connected to the wider European youth field.
The long-term impact of the training and EcoPlay project is still growing. New youth leaders have emerged from the sessions, taking responsibility for planning future activities and helping others join. Environmental topics are becoming more visible in local schools and youth centers, not just as a subject to study but as a lifestyle to live. The message is simple: through sports, young people can learn, connect, and lead the change toward a fairer and greener world.
The Erasmus+ experience in Paola proved that young people are ready and able to be the change-makers society needs. When they are given creative tools, safe spaces, and meaningful activities, they shine. Sport has the power to break barriers and build communities, while environmental education can grow roots in daily life when delivered in ways that feel real and exciting. The path toward inclusion and sustainability is not always easy, but with the strength, joy, and teamwork of youth, it is a path full of hope. Through programs like EcoPlay and organizations like Asociacíon PROJUVEN, the seeds planted in Paola will continue to grow across Spain and beyond.