Football across border and more

The project aims to foster cooperation among young people in the Hungary-Serbia border region by organizing joint sports activities and events, promoting social inclusion and interregional relationships.

Central to the project are football-related activities such as joint training camps, tournaments for boys and girls, and family days, as well as green initiatives like tree planting and selective waste management. Infrastructure enhancements, including modernizing the Vinogradar football club facilities and equipping them with solar boilers and containers, ensure sustainable and equal access to sports.

The project will involve over 330 participants in joint actions and enhance cooperation between football clubs, coaches, and the broader community. By supporting sustainable practices and promoting healthy lifestyles, the project builds lasting partnerships and inspires inclusion, particularly targeting youth from marginal or remote areas. It ensures continuity by committing to annual joint sports events post-project, fostering long-term relationships across the border.

Project objective

The project aimed to strengthen cooperation among young people in the Hungary–Serbia border region through joint sports activities and events, fostering cross-border partnerships, social inclusion, and stronger community ties. Cooperation between football organizations brought together children, families, coaches, and local communities from both sides of the border. A total of 37 events were organized throughout the project.

Results

The project brought children and their families from both sides of the border closer together through football, community activities, environmental initiatives, and professional development. Joint training camps, tournaments, family days, school recruitment activities, environmental actions, and coach training were complemented by investments in sports infrastructure, improving conditions for sustainable and inclusive sports education.

Sports activities

• 4 joint football training camps focused on tactical and physical development.
• 2 family days strengthening cooperation between the participating communities.
• 3 football tournaments for girls and 6 for boys, also involving teams from neighbouring clubs.
• 12 school recruitment activities introducing children to football and training opportunities.
• More than 200 participations by children, coaches, and parents in sports and community-building activities.

Green initiatives

• 2 joint tree-planting activities promoting environmental responsibility.
• 1 selective waste management activity raising young people's awareness of waste separation.

Infrastructure development

• 2 sets of containers providing changing rooms, showers, and toilets.
• 2 solar boilers supporting more sustainable sports infrastructure.

Education and capacity building

• 5 training sessions for coaches, strengthening their professional skills and capacity to support young athletes.

Sustainability and community impact

• Continued cooperation between the participating football organizations.
• Annual joint sports activities planned after project completion, involving at least 70 young athletes.
• Stronger relationships among young players, families, coaches, and local communities.
• Increased opportunities for young people, particularly those from rural and marginal areas, to participate in sport.

The project also included opening and closing conferences, bringing together stakeholders, young athletes, coaches, families, and community representatives to exchange experiences and present project activities and results.

Through 37 joint events and complementary infrastructure investments, the project established stronger links between the participating football clubs and communities, creating a solid foundation for continued cross-border cooperation.