About 150 thousand migrants live in the Warsaw agglomeration, i.e. 30 percent of all migrants in Poland. Both local government and non-governmental organisations organise initiatives to integrate them. But in the opinion of experts and the interested persons themselves, the activities have often limited scope, and no systemic solutions are in place to enhance availability of culture or sports for migrants. Discriminatory incidents are still common, in particular from football hooligans. In Poland, projects using sports for intercultural integration are also rare.
The aim of the project was to support integration of foreigners through organising free and open sports activities and pursuing cultural and education activities to promote the idea of tolerance and diversity.
The project created an opportunity for pursuing free sports activities in an organised league and active participation in events promoting diversity and tolerance for several hundred Warsaw residents coming from over 50 countries and many different backgrounds. 146 participants of workshops were acquainted with anti-discrimination issues and fair play principles (including equality of sexes in sports).
238 hours of sports activities were led (two editions of league games, trainings, sparrings). 14 workshops on combating discrimination and fair play were also conducted, e.g. in Lublin, Słupsk, Gdańsk, Wrocław and Warsaw. 200 copies of a handbook on fair play were printed. The team of Ethno-league took part in 13 integration and promotion events (e.g. in several tournaments, the Przystanek Woodstock festival, the Warsaw Multicultural Street Party). Promotional materials were prepared: banners, flag, posters, leaflets, stickers, t-shirts, cups, bags and promotional video-clip.
562 persons participated in sports activities, and 146 school students took part in workshops.