Barca Foundation’s SPRING project for community development

Barca Foundation’s SPRING project for community development

With social inclusion and gender equality as the basis, the Sport for Social Inclusion of Refugees with a Gender Perspective (SPRING) project is a one-of-a-kind initiative funded by the European Union Sport.

In collaboration with three organizations in four countries, it provides inclusive football activities for refugee women and girls on a weekly basis throughout the European football season. For asylum seekers and refugees, the SPRING project holds community events and tournaments in order to provide a platform for women and girls for social development.

Locally affiliated amateur football club AE Ramassa, based in Catalonia, is one of the three organizations held in association for the project to progress further. The non-governmental organization functions with a mission to leverage the power of football in terms with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Based in Denmark and Germany and founded in 2014 by Afghanistan national football team captain Khalida Popal, Girl Power Organization, is also part of the SPRING initiative. By using sport and education as a tool, the organization provides valuable tools for community development and social growth such as personality development courses and workshops.

Summing up the trio is Greece-based Organization Earth, a non-profit civil society organization that runs on five P’s – People, Planet, Peace, Prosperity and Partnership. Its community-focused outlook promotes grassroots activities and social inclusion programs for vulnerable groups within the larger society.