EMCA brings European voices together to advance social inclusion through sport in the FONTES project
EMCA, coordinator of the Erasmus+ Sport project FONTES, hosted the online webinar “Sport, Faith and Belonging” on 5 October 2026, creating a European space for exchange between sport practitioners, researchers, community organisations and experts working on social inclusion.
Rather than treating sport participation as an end in itself, the webinar examined the conditions that allow participation to develop into a genuine sense of belonging. Speakers discussed how trust, continuity, local partnerships and people-centred design can help organisations reach young people, migrants, women and families who may face barriers to traditional sporting structures.
The event also marked an important step in connecting the FONTES research with practical experience. Findings presented during the webinar pointed to the need for more structured methodologies, stronger support and training for coaches and volunteers, sustainable funding, better impact measurement and approaches that address gender and other intersecting barriers to participation.
Two panel discussions brought complementary perspectives to the conversation. Contributions from Dimitra Lygoura, Ignacio Taló Valls and Younis Jamal focused on practical participation, trust, continuity and youth involvement. Leonardo Aresi, Luigi Aruta and Javier Almagro then explored the potential of grassroots and faith-based networks as trusted community spaces, while also stressing the need for professional support, openness and intentional inclusion.
Through FONTES, partners from Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain and Germany are combining different experiences and local realities around a shared objective: developing practical approaches that help sport organisations and community networks create stronger pathways to social integration.
As project coordinator, EMCA will continue to support the partnership as the insights generated through the research and webinar are translated into training materials, practical resources, testing activities and future project events.
“FONTES gives us the opportunity to connect European sport expertise with the trusted networks that already exist within local communities. Our ambition is to turn this knowledge into practical, sustainable approaches that help more people experience sport not only as an activity, but as a place where they can belong. — Christina Tsiligkiri, President of EMCA”
About FONTES
FONTES – FOstering New TEchniques for Social integration through Sport is an Erasmus+ Sport Cooperation Partnership. The 30-month project brings together seven partners from Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain and Germany and explores how sport, grassroots organisations and faith-based networks can contribute to social integration, intercultural dialogue and a stronger sense of belonging.
