Project Name: Universal Sports for Social Impact – USSI
Project Number: ERASMUS-SPORT-2024-CB – 101183224
Project Summary:
The Universal Sports for Social Impact (USSI) project aims to leverage the principles of martial arts to
promote positive values, social inclusion, and personal development across various sports disciplines.
The initiative strengthens grassroots sports organizations and enhances the capacities of coaches and
educators in Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro by transferring best practices from the EU’s “Sports
Academy Methodology.”
Through a structured framework and interactive toolkits, the project encourages respect, discipline,
focus, and perseverance among youth while building international networks and fostering cooperation.
USSI addresses the needs of disadvantaged groups and uses sports as a transformative and educational
platform for empowerment, peacebuilding, and community cohesion.
Objectives:
- To strengthen the capacities of sports coaches and educators through martial arts
- methodologies.To promote values such as respect, discipline, and tolerance.
- To increase participation in inclusive sports activities across marginalized communities.
- To develop a Train-the-Trainer Toolkit to build local multipliers.
- To launch DEMO Days and community events to foster awareness and engagement.
- To create a sustainable model for value-based sports education applicable across countries.
Key Activities:
Adaptation of the “Sports Academy” methodology (ADAPTATION TOOL-KIT)
Localization and pilot testing of training modules
Train-the-Trainer sessions (25 coaches trained)
Organization of 3 DEMO Days and 3 Community Events with over 600 participants
Hosting an online research conference and a final dissemination event
Development of inclusive digital training platforms and educational resources
Target groups
-Grassroots sport organizations and their staff (coaches, trainers, educators).
-Youth and marginalized communities in the Western Balkans.
-Policymakers and stakeholders in the sport, education, and youth sectors.
-International sport networks promoting inclusion and intercultural dialogue.
Partners:
The project involves a strong consortium of 9 partners from across Europe:
- Ujbuda Judo Sports Association (Hungary) – coordinator
- University Sports Center of Palermo (Italy)
- Polytechnic Institute of Santarém (Portugal)
- PJA Sports Consultancy and Projects (Portugal)
- Albanian Sports Sciences Association (Albania)
- People in Focus (Albania)
- Center for Research and Studies in Physical Education, Sport and Health (Kosovo)
- Physical Activity and Sports Tech for Healthy Lifestyles (Montenegro)
- University of Montenegro (Montenegro)
Relevance and Impact:
USSI strengthens grassroots sport ecosystems in the Western Balkans, enhances coaching competencies,
and supports youth development through value-based, inclusive sports education. The project
contributes to EU goals on social inclusion, public health, and cross-border collaboration, positioning
Sport as a tool for peacebuilding, empowerment, and sustainable community development.
Duration: 01 April 2025 – 31 March 2027