In June 2023, youth workers from different European countries gathered in Cefalù, Sicily, to participate in the Erasmus+ training course “Deuce for Diversity.” This international project focused on using sport, especially tennis and similar team activities, as a method to promote inclusion and diversity among young people. Through practical sessions, group reflections, and intercultural sharing, participants learned how sport can become a powerful tool to connect youth from different backgrounds and to fight against discrimination. The project was especially relevant in a time when many young people feel excluded from social life or judged based on ethnicity, gender, or ability. The training course offered new ideas on how youth workers can make sport accessible, fair, and meaningful for all.
In May 2023, young people in Germany were still facing several social problems related to inclusion and diversity. In schools, sports clubs, and public spaces, many youths from immigrant backgrounds or minority groups felt they did not fully belong. Some experienced racism or exclusion, especially in competitive sport environments where pressure and stereotypes were strong. Others, especially girls from conservative families or youth with disabilities, often stayed away from physical activities due to fear, lack of support, or inaccessible programs. There was also a growing gap between active youth and those spending most of their time online, leading to less physical engagement and fewer face-to-face friendships. While Germany had strong policies on inclusion, in practice, many communities lacked creative ways to implement them in daily youth work. Sport, often seen only as competition or performance, was not always used to build unity and belonging.
The training in Cefalù opened new perspectives. The youth worker from Copernicus Berlin was impressed by the way sport was used not for winning but for understanding. One of the first activities was a non-competitive tennis game where players had to switch partners often, share stories, and play cooperatively. It was simple, but it showed how changing the rules could change the atmosphere. Another session included a workshop on how to design sport activities that consider different physical abilities, languages, and cultural sensitivities. Participants also discussed how clothes, body language, and gender expectations influence who feels welcome in sport spaces. One of the most powerful moments came during a storytelling evening, where participants from different countries shared memories of exclusion—and how someone’s support helped them stay strong. These stories created deep emotional connections and made the training more than just a technical learning—it became a shared mission.
Returning to Germany, the youth worker from Copernicus Berlin wanted to turn this inspiration into action. Together with a small team of volunteers, they launched a local project called “Move Together Berlin.” The goal was to use sport as a language of connection for youth from diverse cultural and social backgrounds, especially refugees, newcomers, and youth from low-income families. The team chose to start with weekly outdoor sessions in Tempelhofer Feld, a large public space in Berlin. Each session included simple sport games, inspired by what was learned in Cefalù. The focus was on participation, respect, and fun—not performance. Activities were adapted for different abilities and languages. One popular activity was a “global tennis relay,” where teams had to create and play using their own new rules, mixing cultural elements and creative teamwork.
The sessions quickly attracted attention. In the first month, around 20–30 youth joined regularly. They came from many countries—Syria, Ukraine, Turkey, Ghana, and more—as well as from Berlin itself. For many, it was the first time joining a sport activity that felt welcoming and low-pressure. The project also worked with local schools and refugee shelters to invite more youth. Parents often came too, sometimes just to watch, and later to join. A group of young girls who never played before started leading warm-up sessions, inspired by the youth worker’s encouragement. Through sport, young people began talking more, making friends, and building trust. Some shared how they felt stressed or shy in daily life, but on the field, they felt strong and seen.
The project also brought change at the educational level. One school invited the Copernicus Berlin team to hold a workshop for physical education teachers on inclusive sport methods. The workshop helped teachers reflect on how their language, expectations, or lack of flexibility might exclude some students. A local youth center began planning their own adapted sport days using the same principles. The project showed that small changes—like removing strict rules, using more languages, or letting youth create their own games—can open the door for more inclusion.
As the months passed, “Move Together Berlin” grew. A group of older participants became peer leaders, helping run the activities. A small grant helped the team buy more equipment, including rackets, balls, and cones. The team also created a short video showing how the sessions worked and why inclusive sport matters. The video was shared in online youth work networks and received positive feedback. Other NGOs contacted Copernicus Berlin to learn more. The youth worker who attended the training in Cefalù also gave a short talk at a youth diversity conference, where the story of “Deuce for Diversity” was mentioned as a key influence.
The impact of the project was real but also emotional. Youth who once stayed quiet started cheering for each other. Some began organizing informal games after school. Others said they finally felt like Berlin was “home.” For the youth worker, this was the proof that the project in Sicily was not just a learning week—it was a seed of change. One participant from the program said, “Here, it does not matter if I am good or not. I can just move and smile.” That simple sentence showed the heart of the work.
Looking to the future, Copernicus Berlin plans to turn “Move Together Berlin” into a long-term program. They want to train more youth leaders, connect with schools, and maybe start a summer sports camp focused on inclusion and health. The team is also working on a short handbook with the methods used, to share with other youth workers in Germany and beyond. The vision is to make sport a space of diversity, not division. A place where everyone, no matter their story, can move, play, and feel part of something.
Youth have the power to change the meaning of sport. They can turn it from a competition into a celebration. From a fear into a friendship. From a stereotype into a story of strength. But they need support, safe spaces, and creative ideas. The Erasmus+ project “Deuce for Diversity” gave that to one youth worker—and through that, to many more young people in Berlin. The game is just beginning. And in this new match, everyone gets to serve, play, and win—together.