Austrian NGOs establish new network in the field of sport for development

On the occasion of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), which is celebrated worldwide on April 6, 16 civil society organizations met in Vienna and decided to establish a new Austria-wide network.

Together, the organizations want to build a democratic network that shows how sport can make a positive contribution to society. The aim is to make the growing sector of socio-political sports initiatives stronger and more visible in the future, and thus more effective.

The initiators of the network are “Breaking Grounds - Social Change through Sport” and “fairplay - Initiative for Diversity and Anti-Discrimination” at the VIDC. At the kick-off on April 4 at the “Creative Cluster” in Vienna, the organizations PlayTogetherNow, login, Fremde werden Freunde, Neuer Start, Austria Santos, Spielerpass, Move on to Inclusion/ LebensGross, On Board / Skateboard Club Vienna, Phönix, KickMit, Homeless World Cup and Catch'n Serve Ball and Wunderteam were among those involved.

At the networking kick-off, David Hudelist from fairplay, the initiative for diversity and anti-discrimination, said, “In times when nationalist and extreme right-wing forces are growing stronger, social cohesion is at risk. Sport in Austria is an important part of civil society. By founding the network, we can stand stronger together. Dialogue and networking are more important than ever to strengthen social cohesion.”

Co-initiator Karina Lackner from “Breaking Grounds” says: “Sport has the potential to connect people, solve social challenges and promote sustainable development. A dedicated network in Austria combines forces, promotes innovation and creates a platform for achieving a positive social impact through sport”.

Ingo Bergmann from Breaking Grounds adds: “Our vision is a strongly networked Austria in which sport makes a sustainable contribution to social and societal development, strengthens marginalized groups and actively addresses societal challenges.”

Mission and objectives of the network

Following the presentation of a vision paper, the strategic goals of the network were discussed in detail. The aim is to establish a forward-looking network in the field of “Sport for Development” through targeted cooperation, systematic knowledge exchange and the bundling of resources. The focus is on continuous knowledge transfer, joint learning and the promotion of synergies to maximize impact. Other priorities include international networking, identifying and sharing good practices, raising political awareness, and developing sustainable frameworks for organizations, experts, and disadvantaged target groups. In addition, the network will serve as a laboratory for ideas and a source of inspiration for innovative concepts, as well as defining quality and impact standards. It will thus make a decisive contribution to innovation, professionalization, and long-term effectiveness in the field.

The participants also agreed on a common name. However, the use of the name must still be legally clarified in the coming weeks.

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) on April 6 was established by the United Nations in 2013. On April 6, 1896, the first modern Summer Olympics were opened in Athens. The symbolic date is intended to illustrate the important role of sport in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sport for Development means using sport to achieve positive social change. In contrast to conventional sports programs, the focus here is not on athletic competition or physical fitness, but rather on using sport as a tool to achieve social goals. S4D programs are designed to strengthen people in their personal development, promote social integration and break down barriers in society. They combine sporting activities with education, health promotion or measures against discrimination, thereby creating spaces in which people can participate equally and learn from each other, regardless of their origin, gender or social conditions.

Contact

Breaking Grounds – Social Change through Sport
Karina Lackner, karina@breaking-grounds.at, Tel: 0680 20 55 391
www.breaking-grounds.at

fairplay – Initiative for Diversity and Anti-Discrimination at the VIDC
Kurt Wachter, wachter [AT] vidc [DOT] org, Tel. 01/7133594-90
www.fairplay.or.at