Commissioner Glenn Micallef announced the winners of the #BeInclusive EU Sport Awards on 12 May 2025. A very proud moment for EuroHockey when we were chosen from over 100 EU Erasmus+ projects to be shortlisted for our Equally Inclusive Charter and Campaign in the category: Promoting Gender Equality in Sport “Be Equal”
“Equally Amazing – The start of a wonderful journey…”
The most outstanding projects and people promoting inclusion, diversity, and equality through sport activities in Europe this year were selected by an expert jury.
The 9 finalists participated in a competitive process. Each winner was awarded €10,000, while the remaining 6 finalists received €2,500.
Commissioner Glenn Micallef announced the winners at the Berlaymont building in Brussels on 12 May 2025, with the presence of of Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness and Matvii Bidnyi, the Ukrainian Minister for Youth and Sport.
Breaking Barriers in sport Award
This year’s nominees for this category were
- Asociata FDP-Protagonisti in educatie, Romania
- Andromeda Fitness Lounge, Italy
- Bushido, Poland
Bushido took first place with the project “Karate in Europe – development, experience, diversity and integration”.
The project focused on building the skills of sports professionals to promote sport for all and social inclusion. It organised 2 learning visits to Romania and Denmark, where 9 karate coaches developed their expertise in inclusive training methods, club management, and sustainable practices. The initiative led to the creation of a practical guide for international cooperation, shared with clubs across Europe.
Thanks to the project, Bushido has expanded its activities. It has created new coaching positions, opened a second club in a rural are,a and built partnerships with several educational institutions. Club membership doubled within months. Improved language skills among coaches opened the door to a more diverse membership.
Read more about the finalists in Breaking Barriers category
Be Equal – Promoting gender equality in sport Award
The shortlist for this category was made up of
- EuroHockey, (Equally Amazing) Belgium
- Fútbol Más France, France
- Dragones de Lavapiés, Spain
The winner was Fútbol Más France for their “District Spot: Empowering Girls in and through Sport” project.
The project started in July 2023 in Paris’ disadvantaged 19th district. The programme tackles the gender gap in sport among adolescent girls. It offers a free, year-long socio-sportive programme for girls between the ages of 10 and 17. Monthly cultural outings and inspiring encounters are designed to reconnect them with their city and physical activity.
A key feature of District Spot is its “for and by girls” approach. It is led by four young women between the ages of 17 and 19 from similar backgrounds, who act as mentors and coordinators, ensuring that the project remains relatable and empowering.
Read more about the finalists in Be Equal category
Marijke Fleuren- van Walsem, Levi Van Havere, and Tom Pedersen-Smith represented EuroHockey at the Awards Ceremony, where we finished joint 2nd!
Sport for Peace Award
The finalists of the 2024 edition are
- Asociación Tarjeta Verde, Spain
- Association UCPA Sport Loisirs, France
- Lietuvos Etnosporto Komitetas (LEK), Lithuania
Lietuvos Etnosporto Komitetas received the Award for their “Fate of a Sport” project from Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Matvii Bidnyi, the Ukrainian Minister for Youth and Sport.
The initiative brought together young people from different cultural, national and social backgrounds to connect and build bridges through sport in response to rising tensions across Europe, particularly after the war in Ukraine.
Participants took part in a range of traditional and modern sports, collective workshops, and peacebuilding activities, creating a safe space for healing, learning, and fostering empathy. The project tackled pressing issues such as youth mental health, isolation, and social division, showing the transformative power of sport in bringing people together.
Read more about the finalists in Sport for Peace category
It was fantastic to see the wonderful work being done and supported by the European Commission all over Europe, to ensure that sport is an integral part of life in Europe.
Well done to all the finalists, we are proud to be amongst you!
