"ASD EVOLUZIONE E BENESSERE" association has an innovative and breakthrough approach through its activities in the Acilia area. Acilia is one of the suburbs of Rome characterized by all those conditions that unfortunately often define the suburbs of large cities: poor urban fabric quality, a low cultural level that reinforces gender stereotypes, few cultural opportunities, distance from the centre of Rome is increased by the lack of an infrastructural network of public transport in Rome. Indeed Acilia is one of those neighbourhoods that require special attention. One of those neighbourhoods where cultural, socializing and sporting proposals can make the difference. Evolution and Wellness ASD offers its members a wide range of activities: taekwondo and dance, singing and acting to realize musicals and shows.
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Unfortunately, as often happens, taekwondo lessons are mainly attended by boys while girls are enrolled in dance classes.
Occasionally, some girls ask to enrol in the taekwondo course and some children intrigued by dance enrol in a trial lesson. However, this does not often happen the stigma and gender sterestereotypesr over the choices of children and families. So here is that the girl who signs up for taekwondo is a "tomboy", and the boy who chooses the dance is a "sissy".
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The same families stigmatize the two disciplines, recognizing a masculine connotation to martial arts and a feminine connotation to dance. It must be said, however, that while in the case of girls who choose to enrol in taekwondo they are defined as "tomboys" but in any claim are seen as "tough" and strong girls, those who suffer the most from this stigma are the children, to whom the 'name of "sissies" which always turns out to be derogatory and discrediting.
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EVOLUZIONE, aware of its educational role in the community, decide to block this discriminating process, as it is not in line with its mission and with the objectives of inclusion, acceptance and promotion of equal opportunities that characterize it. The association's president gathers volunteers to discuss the issue of Gender Equality and find innovative solutions to apply in their activities: thus, the "TO GATHER TOGETHER" was born. Hence the desire to share it, export it outside the confines of a suburban neighbourhood and give the project an international flair. By dealing with a theme familiar to each EU country, it was decided to institute a new process that would pass through the engagement of various European associations.
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With 85 years of sports activity and reaching thousands of people, the CAQ has long been a pillar of the city of Queluz, Municipality of Sintra (World Heritage Site).
It provides and has always provided sporting and social accommodation to all members of society, thus developing great attention to the inclusion of people with fewer opportunities. Among its many activities, it pays particular attention to the promotion of sport for women, counteracting the gap in participation in sport between men and women. It does this
through competitions, courses and facilities for women and mothers. The club is a member of national federations sports, and participates in numerous international events such as international friendly competitions or competitions international competitions representing Portugal.
The philosophy and training method show, regardless of age, ability or experience that everyone can be encouraged to become more active and improve their lifestyle.
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The La Mina district, where the La Mina, is commonly known as the 'lawless neighbourhood'. It is the neighbourhood with the greatest social deprivation within the Barcelona metropolitan area. It suffers from an urban layout that has created closed streets within a fortress-like environment, marginalised from the outside world. Approximately 13,000 people live in La Mina, of which a large number live below the poverty line. In general, many of the residents of La Mina are poorly educated and have difficulty finding stable employment. In addition, drug trafficking and consumption cause profound social upheaval.
Key problems in La Mina: numbers well above the national average of people living in poverty; illiteracy levels at 25% (compared to 2% in the region of Catalonia); high unemployment rates over 30% (compared to 16% in the region of Catalonia); school absenteeism (almost 30% in secondary school and 15% in primary secondary school and 15% in primary school, compared to 2% in the city of Barcelona).
To sum up, the degradation of the community has been intense, with high crime rates and serious social fractures. In these circumstances, in the late 1990s, there was the first attempt to initiate a social inclusion intervention based on sport in the district: wrestling initiation for children and young people.
The La Mina Gymnastics Club fits into this context, playing a key role. The club was founded to promote, facilitate and support the social transformation of the La Mina district, through sport one can promote change, one can promote the culture of inclusion and second chances.
This is what is done every day in its community that boasts almost 200 members from all parts of the world: Iran, Italy, Morocco, Cuba, Russia, Romania, Georgia, Moldova, etc...
They all have one thing in common: they live in the La Mina District.
In addition to promoting sports activities and training, the club tries to find innovative solutions to involve and keep the young people of the district engaged and close to common goals. Some athletes represent the Spanish national team in all categories. In addition, the club has represented the Catalan team in national and international competitions.
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It is a non-profit organisation located in Kaunas, Lithuania. The meaning of the name of the organisation is WE DO SPORTS TOGETHER.
The mission of VSL KARTU lies in the promotion of sports and physical activity in leisure time. With their football school and their dance school, they currently work with over 100 families. Promoting the condition of healthy life with healthy habits is the main objective of the association, which is recognised in the community as a place of meeting and healthy aggregation for the growth of children and the interpersonal relationships of members.
Numerous families experience the association with their children and numerous young women participate in the programmes promoted by VŠÄ® SPORTUOKIME, which in addition to numerous courses and sports events (especially related to the world of dance and football) promotes training courses on female leadership.
For the association, combating stereotypes is extremely important, Lithuania is still very hostile towards LGBTQI+ communities and counteracting the trend of 'Males against Females' is not easy. But VSL
KARTU every day promotes equal participation, inclusion and respect of the individual within the group and cares about the psycho-physical well-being of everyone. Because sport can be done together.