Anti-discrimination inclusion in sport
SPEAK
101089786
Project Title: SPEAK – Sports in a Union of Equality
Project Number: 101051000
Project Coordinator: HELLAS FOR US ASTIKI MI KERDOSKOPIKI MI KYBERNITIKI ETERIA (Greece)
Duration: Jun 1, 2022 – November 30, 2023
Budget: €60,000
Programme: Erasmus+ Sport
Action Type: Collaborative Partnerships
Topics: LGBTIQ, discrimination, bullying and violence in sport, values of freedom.
Partners:
- HELLAS FOR US ASTIKI MI KERDOSKOPIKI MI KYBERNITIKI ETERIA (Greece) – Coordinator
- KOSARKASKI SAVEZ GRADA NISA (Serbia)
-
SPORTEN KLUB DARKO TIM (Bulgaria)
- FS ETHNIKOS KOZANIS (Greece)
- KARGENC CEVRE SPOR KULUBU (Türkiye)
-
MINDSPIN LTD (Cyprus)
- ASOCIATIA SCOUT SOCIETY (Romania)
Overview
The SPEAK (Sports in a Union of Equality) project tackles one of the most pressing human rights issues in European sport: discrimination, bullying, and violence against LGBTIQ persons. In the European Union, equal treatment is a fundamental right. However, LGBTIQ individuals are among the groups most exposed to discrimination, harassment, and violence, both in society at large and specifically within the sports community.
Despite progress in many areas of society, sports environments often remain hostile or unwelcoming to LGBTIQ athletes, coaches, and fans. Many LGBTIQ individuals avoid participating in sports due to fear of discrimination, bullying, or being forced to hide their identity. This exclusion denies them the physical, mental, and social benefits of sports participation and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
The SPEAK project works to eradicate the stigmatization of the LGBTIQ community in the field of sport by promoting the values of freedom championed by the European Union through its Erasmus+ programme. The project envisions sport as a tool for prevention of discrimination and hate crime, and as a platform for promoting personal freedom, coexistence, awareness, acceptance of diversity, and fraternity—regardless of sexual identity or preferences.
As a partner in this groundbreaking initiative coordinated by Hellas For Us (Greece), CNBA joins organizations from Romania, Cyprus, Turkey, and Bulgaria to create safe, inclusive, and welcoming sports environments for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Key Focus Areas of SPEAK
Awareness and Education
Raise awareness about discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in sport.
Resource Distribution
Create and distribute comprehensive Handbook to 100+ sport clubs and 500+ individuals.
Inclusive Events
Organize 35+ LGBTIQ-friendly sport events across participating countries reaching 1,000+ people.
Community Empowerment
Strengthen communities to embrace diversity, coexistence, and acceptance in sports.
Network Creation
Build European Network of 50+ LGBTIQ-friendly sport clubs and organizations.
Values Promotion
Use sport as a tool to prevent discrimination and promote European Union values of equality.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Sports in a Union of Equality (SPEAK) is an Erasmus+ Sport project that aims to assist in the creation of a place where everyone feels welcome and safe to play
1. Raise Awareness About Discrimination
Combat ignorance—the first step of discrimination—by raising awareness about discrimination in sport based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity through comprehensive information and awareness-raising campaigns.
2. Promote Sport as Prevention Tool
Position sport itself as a powerful tool for the prevention of discrimination, bullying, and hate crime based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
3. Promote European Values
Advance personal freedom and the core values of the European Union: coexistence, awareness, acceptance of diversity, and fraternity, regardless of sexual identity or preferences.
4. Create European Network
Establish a European Network of LGBTIQ-friendly sport clubs and organizations, with particular focus on South-Eastern Europe where LGBTIQ athletes face the most significant difficulties.
5. Distribute Educational Resources
Create and distribute a comprehensive Handbook to at least 100 sport clubs and 500 individuals, providing practical guidance on creating inclusive environments.
6. Organize Inclusive Events
Organize at least 35 LGBTIQ-friendly sport events across participating countries, targeting at least 1,000 people.
7. Long-term Strategy
Lay the foundation for a long-term strategy to reduce homophobia and transphobia in European sport activities and make sport an inclusive and safe place for all participants.
Results
Network Building
The project actively builds a European Network of LGBTIQ-friendly sport clubs and organizations, with special focus on South-Eastern Europe. This network aims to include at least 50 sport organizations and clubs that commit to: Welcoming LGBTIQ members, Implementing non-discrimination policies, Providing safe spaces, Actively promoting inclusion, Supporting LGBTIQ rights
SPEAK Handbook
