From 2015 to 2016 SPIN network partners have implemented the project European Sport Inclusion Network (ESPIN). This European sport project was aimed at promoting equal opportunities of migrants and minorities through volunteering in sport. The project has now been selected as a "success story" by a panel of experts from the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture of the European Commission.
“Success stories “are finalised projects funded through the ERASMUS+ programme that have distinguished themselves by their impact, contribution to policy-making, innovative results and/or creative approach and can be a source of inspiration for others.
In a letter to the project leader Kurt Wachter at VIDC-fairplay Francesca Pagnossin, Head of Unit for Stakeholder Engagement and Programme Impact, writes:
“The selection of your project as a success story was made on the basis of rigorous criteria regarding its quality, relevance and results. (…) As a consequence of this selection, visibility and acknowledgement will be given to your project. (…) I would like to congratulate and thank you and your project partners for your commitment, enthusiasm and high-quality work.”
The project has been marked as "success story" in the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform, a database where one can find descriptions and results of projects supported by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport, as well as its predecessor programmes.
Kurt Wachter, coordinator of the fairplay initiative at VIDC, says:
“We are happy that our inclusive work with migrants and refugees acts as a Good Practice example for the entire European continent. Our Football Welcomes Refugees campaign in autumn 2015 demonstrated the willingness of so many sport clubs and initiatives to support refugees, something we tend to forget easily nowadays.”
SPIN network partners from 7 countries have developed a new project called “Sport Inclusion of Migrant and Minority Women - Promoting sports participation and leadership capacities”. The project has been submitted to the European Commission in April 2018.