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Breaking Barriers through Football
Start date: Jun 1, 2015, End date: Sep 1, 2015 PROJECT FINISHED

Football and sports in general are increasingly used and recognized as a tool for community development. These football for development programmes are providing people from different backgrounds with valuable tools to actively make a difference in their own lives. By addressing the most pressing issues in each community, the programmes are contributing to positive social change on a European scale. Football has the power to help people to achieve more: address health issues, tackle racism, go back to school, find employment or become role models. Football can enhance individual development, self-confidence and conveys values of team spirit, fair play and responsibility. It teaches youth how to deal with victory and defeat, solve problems and accept rules. The aim of the youth exchange in Rotterdam (25-7 to 01-08 2015) was to break down invisible barriers between 26 youth from different cultural and religious backgrounds. The participating young people where all between 17 and 23 years and all have a diverse economic, cultural and religious background. The participating countries/clubs are Netherlands (EFDN & Feyenoord), England (Manchester United Foundation), Israel (Mifalot) and Belgium (KAA Ghent). Through the exchange, the participants got a better understanding of the other participants backgrounds and cultures through discussions and sport activities They also discussed ways to tell and share their experiences to their friends and family. The exchange was a great success for the young participants, the staff members and the participating organisations. Amy Long, a young participant from Manchester United Foundation stated: ‘’I think that this youth exchange is an amazing opportunity for all young people involved all across the world. It brings together people from different cultures and gets them working together to help battle any negative stereotypes created by the media & other influences, it is creating equality. I would definitely want to be involved in another youth exchange in the future.’’. ‘’It was good to make new friends, so I love it I loved every single day of the week.’’ – Amin Jovanis Niyonkuru (Mifalot)