ENGSO Youth at the SPIN Youth Conference: Empower Diverse Youth

On April 17 2026, stakeholders from across the European sport sector gathered in Lisbon, Portugal, for the SPIN Youth European Networking Conference. Held under the theme “Inclusion and Empowerment of Young People with Diverse Backgrounds in Sport – Challenges and New Approaches in a Transforming World,” the event marked the final milestone of the ERASMUS+ SPIN Youth project.

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Chloe Jordan, Policy and Project Manager at ENGSO Youth, represented the organisation during the panel discussion “Rethinking Sport and Inclusion: Innovative Strategies for Engaging Diverse Youth.” She contributed alongside experts from the Olympic Athletes Committee, the Football Association of Ireland, Associação Nacional de Futebol de Rua, and Xico Andebol.

 

During the discussion, Chloe shared insights on current developments at the European policy level, alongside reflections on ENGSO Youth’s ongoing work within the EUYOUSPORT project. The conversation focused on meaningful involvement and co-creation, while exploring sustainable approaches to engaging young people with diverse backgrounds (YPWDB). Emphasis was placed on supporting young people to take on leadership roles beyond the field of play, so they can actively shape the systems and policies that affect them.

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Another area of focus was on the inclusion of refugees and migrants in both sport and society, with panelists sharing thoughts on the importance of adopting an individual-first approach that recognises personal experiences, needs, and potential. This was brought to life through inspiring examples, including the work of the SL Benfica Foundation, which continues to deliver impactful initiatives promoting social inclusion through sport.

 

The conference also included practical engagement through interactive workshops designed to reflect the lived experiences of marginalised youth:

  • Visualising Barriers: In the “Obstacle Course” session, participants constructed physical representations of challenges faced by migrants and refugees, including language barriers and financial limitations, bringing policy issues into a tangible format.
  • The Power of Listening: The “Youth Voices Wall” created space for participants to share personal experiences within sports environments, offering insight into what fosters inclusion, or exclusion, at club level.
  • Collaborative Problem-Solving: During the “Fix It Together” workshop, mixed groups of youth and adults developed actionable solutions. To reinforce youth leadership, all final proposals were presented by young participants.

 

The event concluded with a focus on youth impact, featuring personal testimonies from the youth coordinators and spoken word performances that highlighted the human dimension of inclusion in sport.

 

Participation in the conference reinforced ENGSO Youth’s commitment to international collaboration and knowledge exchange. By contributing to and sharing the outcomes of the SPIN Youth project, the organisation continues to advocate for a European sport landscape that is inclusive, diverse, and empowering for all young people.

 

Thank you to the Sport Inclusion network (SPIN) for the invitation!

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