In June 2023, Cefalù, a small town in Sicily, became the heart of a European movement. Thirty-five youth workers from across the continent met for Deuce for Diversity, an Erasmus+ training course that used sport—especially tennis—as a tool for promoting inclusion and diversity. The project aimed to show how physical activity can break social barriers, encourage teamwork, and build understanding between people from different cultures and backgrounds. It combined workshops and real-life tennis matches, offering a powerful experience that mixed theory with practice. For the Italian participants from Associazione Progetto Europa, the training was not just an event. It was a meaningful journey that opened new ideas and created long-lasting inspiration.
In May 2023, Italian youth workers were facing several challenges in their communities. In many cities and towns, young people from migrant families still struggled to feel fully part of society. Some were excluded from sports clubs due to economic reasons, while others faced cultural stereotypes or language barriers. In rural areas, opportunities for structured youth activities were limited. Young people with disabilities had few accessible sport programs. Meanwhile, gender inequality was still visible in schools and sports—girls were often underrepresented or judged when they tried to join male-dominated teams. Although Italy had many public initiatives to support inclusion, local implementation was often weak, and many youth workers felt they lacked the right tools to create real, inclusive environments.
For the team from Associazione Progetto Europa, the Deuce for Diversity training offered a new and refreshing perspective. From the first day, the format of the project surprised them. It was not just about listening to presentations. Participants were active, engaged, and working together. The tennis tournament was structured in a way that mixed people of all skill levels, backgrounds, and countries. Some had never played tennis before, but that didn’t matter. Everyone was equal on the court. The message was clear: inclusion is not about perfection or performance—it is about participation, mutual respect, and teamwork.
The workshops were another key part of the experience. They explored difficult topics like unconscious bias, intercultural misunderstanding, and exclusion in sport and youth programs. Each session was practical, emotional, and based on real experiences. Youth workers from Germany shared how they created safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth in sports. A participant from Romania explained how sports helped Roma youth feel accepted in their schools. One story from North Macedonia showed how using mixed teams in sport helped reduce ethnic tensions. These best practices gave the Italian group confidence. They realized that small actions can lead to big changes, and that sport can be more than a game—it can be a space for healing and growth.
After returning home, the Italian participants felt ready to take action. They developed a local project called Campo Aperto (Open Court). The aim of the project was to use tennis to connect young people from different backgrounds in their town. With support from a local sports club, they created a weekly program where teenagers could come and play, learn basic tennis skills, and participate in reflection sessions about diversity and respect. The sessions were open to everyone—refugees, Italians, youth with disabilities, girls and boys alike. Just like in Cefalù, the games were followed by short discussions. The youth talked about their dreams, the challenges they faced, and what it means to feel included.
The project Campo Aperto quickly started to grow. More young people joined each week. Some came for the sport, but stayed for the friendships. One girl who had never played any sport before said it was the first time she felt accepted in a team. A boy from Tunisia, who had faced bullying in school, said that the project made him feel proud of who he was. Local schools began supporting the initiative by sending students who needed more social connection. Teachers noticed improvements in their students’ behavior and confidence. Parents started to ask for similar programs for younger children.
The community also reacted in a positive way. Local newspapers wrote about the project. City officials visited one of the sessions and praised the team for their effort. A sports teacher from a nearby school asked to receive training in the Deuce for Diversity method. The project even inspired other NGOs to explore how they could use sport in their own activities. Associazione Progetto Europa decided to write a small handbook about their experience, sharing their adapted methods in Italian and making them available online for free. They also applied for new funding to expand Campo Aperto to more towns in the region.
The training in Cefalù gave the youth workers more than knowledge—it gave them belief. Belief that change is possible, even with limited resources. Belief that inclusion can happen if the right space is created. And belief that young people are not just waiting to be helped—they are ready to lead, if they are given the chance. The experience helped the youth workers reconnect with their purpose. It reminded them that their work matters, and that through international cooperation, they can bring home new tools, friendships, and motivation.
Looking to the future, Associazione Progetto Europa wants to continue building inclusive spaces for young people. They believe that every town, every school, and every sports club has the power to open doors. The tennis court became a symbol—an open field where everyone could move, speak, and be seen. The long-term vision is to create a network of “Open Courts” across the country, where young people from all backgrounds can meet, play, and grow together.
Deuce for Diversity was more than a training course. It was a living example of what Europe can be: united in difference, connected through action, and driven by the energy of its youth. The participants from Italy will carry this experience with them for many years. They know that change takes time, but they also know that it starts with one person, one idea, and sometimes—one simple tennis ball.