Love sports! No racism, no violence! 
- Award Entered:
Best New Project - Parent Organisation:
Policy Center for Roma and Minorities - Project Host Nation:
Romania - Overview of Project:
Ferentari is a neighbourhood with a significant number of Roma teenagers who are falling out of the social nets. They end up, like most of their parents, either in prison, dependent on drugs, or at the very bottom of the social strata. Poverty, domestic violence, drug abuse, prostitution, are all part of their daily reality. The great risk of social exclusion which these youngsters face is the specific social issue we address through sport and extra-curricular activities. So far, we can say one of the most effective ways for tackling discrimination and promoting social inclusion is through sports, and this is why it represents a priority for our organization. Sports is a way of getting people together, regardless of their ethnicity. Sports greatly contributes to children’s physical development; it also increases their sense of discipline, self-esteem and performance and, very important, helps them realize that they can lead a different, better life than the one they see around every day. It helps them want to achieve something, even if in the beginning is just the opportunity to attend some famous sportsman’s trainings. Besides that, sports reaches large audiences, therefore it can be a great tool for promoting social dialogue.
Comments
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Michael: 04 Dec 2011 - 19:38 GMT
Way to go, Policy!
Ral: 30 Nov 2011 - 20:27 GMT
It is amazing the change one can see in these children, months after the project started! I have seen and talked to Nico, one of the girls who says she would like to become a basketball player now, after the trainings within the Alternative Education Club and after taking part in a basketball camp organized by one of the top Romanian basketball players. It is really touching to see these kinds and the change in their lives.
Ana: 29 Nov 2011 - 11:26 GMT
Everybody counts! The work of the Center is a proof that working in a dedicated manner with each child can make a difference. The activities of the Policy Center for Roma and Minorities, with the children from the getto in Bucharest can be also followed through their website: http://www.policycenter.eu/en/
Andreea: 28 Nov 2011 - 12:24 GMT
Great work! This project makes a big difference in the lives of the kids participating. I hope to see the project expand to other cities and communities.
Mariana: 24 Nov 2011 - 12:11 GMT
It's absolutely amazing how many progresses these kids have done since they started working with Policy Center. Their passion for sport is reflected at so many levels up to the point that school performance improves, they stay in school and not in the ghetto, their ierarchy of role models is changed for the good and they have real alternatives to make the most of their talent. Their enthusiasm is certainly the best indicator is assesing how sport can trigger authentic social change.