STRONG WOMEN – Kicking Down Barriers: Empowering Women and Families through Football

Implementation period: 01.11.2025 – 31.01.2027

Reference number: ERASMUS-SPORT-2025-SSCP – 101245575

Total budget: 60,000 EUR

Project leader: Asociatia Nevo Parudimos

Partners:
Együttható Közösségépítő Egyesület – Hungary
Kargenc Cevre Spor Kulübü – Turkey

STRONG WOMEN is a European initiative that uses football as a strategic tool for social inclusion, personal development, and the promotion of gender equality. The project primarily targets Roma women, women with disabilities, and women from vulnerable groups who frequently face structural barriers in accessing sports and participating actively in community life.

By promoting women’s football and the concept of family football, the project creates a safe and inclusive environment where participants can strengthen their self-confidence, leadership capacity, and teamwork skills. At the same time, the initiative contributes to combating gender stereotypes and reshaping perceptions of women’s role in sport within communities in Romania, Hungary, and Turkey.

Aim and Objectives

The overall aim of the project is to strengthen social inclusion and the participation of disadvantaged women through football, by promoting gender equality, intercultural dialogue, and European values.

Within the project framework, 150 women from marginalized communities will benefit from structured sports activities designed to support the development of self-confidence and leadership skills. Activities will be implemented locally in Reșița, Sakarya, and Budapest, facilitating transnational cooperation and the exchange of experiences among participants from diverse cultural backgrounds. The project also encourages intercultural interaction and the building of collaborative bridges between communities.

Main Activities

A central component of the project is the organization of an international training course for 15 female coaches, five from each partner country. The training focuses on developing competences in inclusive football methodologies and women’s leadership, thereby strengthening the capacity of partner organizations to work effectively with women from vulnerable groups.

In parallel, an inclusive football methodology tailored to the needs of Roma women, migrant women, and women with disabilities will be developed. This methodology will serve as a practical and replicable tool that can be used by other sports organizations interested in promoting inclusion through sport.

At local level, 30 training sessions will be organized and evenly distributed across the three partner countries. These sessions will provide a safe space for active participation, learning, and personal development. In addition, the project will include three Family Football Days events, promoting intergenerational participation and strengthening family relationships while challenging gender stereotypes traditionally associated with football.

The exchange of experience among partners and the organization of regional dissemination events will ensure the visibility of results and the involvement of decision-makers, sports organizations, and local communities. The publication of a Good Practice Guide on inclusive football for women will further contribute to the sustainability and wider impact of the project.

Results and Impact

Through the implementation of the proposed activities, the project will lead to increased social inclusion for 150 women from vulnerable groups and to a significant improvement in their self-confidence and social competences. Active participation in sport will contribute to reducing gender stereotypes and promoting a positive image of women in the sports sector.

In the long term, STRONG WOMEN will strengthen the capacity of partner organizations to implement inclusive methodologies and will create a replicable model at European level. The project will also reinforce international cooperation and intercultural dialogue between communities in the three countries, demonstrating the role of sport as an effective instrument for social cohesion and equal opportunities.

The project is funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ – Sport Programme.

STRONG WOMEN IN ROMANIA

STRONG WOMEN IN HUNGARY

STRONG WOMEN IN TURKIYE