13 ICEHEARTS EUROPE KEYWORDS YOU NEED TO KNOW

MENTORING

TRAINING

GROUP

RULES

SUPPORT

RECREATIONAL SPORT

RELATIONSHIP

TRUST

BELONGING

INCLUSION

SKILLS

COMMUNITY

COCREATION

Social exclusion is recognised at an international level as a social concern to be addressed. When talking about socially excluded and vulnerable youth, the literature generally refers to children who are subjected daily to multifaceted stressors (e.g., social, emotional, and economic) that create conditions for social maladjustment.

Children growing up in socioeconomically and psychosocially disadvantaged environments are more likely to suffer from impeded physical health, cognitive development, and behavioural and mental health through multiple processes, including lack of cognitive stimulation and learning opportunities, inadequate parenting practices or family breakdown, psychological failings and stress.

Moreover, approximately 20-25% of youth are suffering from mental health problems in the aftermath of COVID-19, and the long-lasting trend of insufficient physical activity for 80% of adolescents, puts the health and well-being of children and youth at serious risk.

Investing in vulnerable children and adolescents during early stages of their development generates greater benefits for them and their later lives, and it also reduces the economic burden associated with unhealthy or disengaged youth in society.

In recent years, the contribution of team sports to achieving social inclusion of children was emphasised and several academics have pointed out that sport can be used as a vehicle to face up to certain aspects of social inclusion.

As a supplemental intervention, mentoring has also been widely implemented as a strategy to aid positive youth development. The support and guidance from mentors may compensate for the lack of social resources available to disadvantaged children (which may in turn empower them to deal with life’s challenges).

Adapted from and for further information, please refer to:

Hermens N, Super S, Verkooijen, KT, Koelen M. Intersectoral Action to Enhance the Social Inclusion of Socially Vulnerable Youth through Sport: An Exploration of the Elements of Successful Partnerships between Youth Work Organisations and Local Sports Clubs. Soc. Incl. 2015, 3, 98–107.

• Haudenhuyse RP, Theeboom, M, Skille, E.Å. Towards understanding the potential of sports-based practices for socially vulnerable youth. Sport Soc. 2013, 17, 139–156.

Haudenhuyse R, Theeboom, M, Nols Z. Sports-based interventions for socially vulnerable youth: Towards well-defined interventions with easy-tofollow outcomes? Int. Rev. Sociol. Sport 2012, 48, 471–484.

Coalter, F.; Theeboom, M.; Truyens, J. Developing a programme theory for sport and employability programmes for NEETs. Int. J. Sport Policy Politics 2020, 12, 679–697.

Super S, Hermens N, Verkooijen K., Koelen M. Examining the relationship between sports participation and youth developmental outcomes for socially vulnerable youth. BMC Public Health 2018, 18, 1012.

• D’Angelo C, Corvino C, Cianci E, Gozzoli C. Sport for Vulnerable Youth: The Role of Multi-Professional Groups in Sustaining Intersectoral Collaboration. Soc. Incl. 2020, 8, 129–138.

• Svensson, PG, Woods H. A systematic overview of sport for development and peace organisations. J. Sport Dev. 2017, 5, 36–48