MENTORING PROGRAMME

The IRTS Networking Platform’s Mentoring Programme connects individuals and organisations from the integration of refugees through sport field through two rounds of 12-month mentorships. The objective of the mentoring is to bring together less and more experienced individuals from the field to build an international network and build the capacity of the whole sector.

It will be carried out in two rounds of 12 pairs:

  • September 2020 - October 2021
  • October 2021 - October 2022

For the first round, we are looking for 12 motivated mentees to be matched with respective experts from the field (see timeline below).

During the 12-month mentoring, the mentorship pairs will be engaged through an online platform and they have two chances to meet face-to-face (travel and accommodation costs covered). The mentoring pairs will be offered relevant resources throughout the programme – both relating to the IRTS field and tips/advice related to mentoring.

Mentors

Mentor
Anne Méaux learn more

Anne Méaux

Pedagogy and Social Innovation Manager PLAY International France
Mentee
Licia Corredini learn more

Licia Corredini

Projecting department and basketball coach HERON Italy
Mentor
Zina Mameri learn more

Zina Mameri

Educational Officer Fútbol Más France
Mentee
Juana Ruiz Saura learn more

Juana Ruiz Saura

Social Educator Fundación CEPAIM Spain
Mentor
Wim Poelmans learn more

Wim Poelmans

Programme Manager Run Free & SPIRIT, Flemish Athletics Federation Belgium
Mentee
Pete Kelly learn more

Pete Kelly

Football Coach Lavapiés Dragons Football Club Spain
Mentor
Katerina Salta learn more

Katerina Salta

Co-founder/Manager Hestia FC Greece
Mentee
Panos Papageorgiu learn more

Panos Papageorgiu

Head of the Development Department ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth Greece
Mentor
Hanna Ghodrati learn more

Hanna Havstam Ghodrati

Project Leader at Street Games project RF-SISU Vastra Gotaland Sweden
Mentee
Margareta Toivanen learn more

Margareta Toivanen

Project Manager Monaliiku ry Finland
Mentor
Gerald Mballe learn more

Gerald Mballe

Special Olympics Advisor for unified with refugees presso Special Olympics Special Olympics Italy
Mentee
Aitor Hernandez learn more

Aitor Hernandez

Executive Director Fútbol Más Spain Spain
Mentor
Adnan Abdul Ghani learn more

Adnan Abdul Ghani

Migration Expert Save the Children Region West Sweden
Mentee
Marisa Schlenker learn more

Marisa Schlenker

Volunteer Gemeinde Bermatingen Germany
Mentor
Saska Benedicic Tomat learn more

Saska Benedicic Tomat

Head of Projects International Sport and Culture Association Slovenia
Mentee
Anca Oana Serediuc learn more

Anca Oana Serediuc

Physical education teacher and aerobics fitness trainer Association Sport for All Suceava (volunteer) Romania
Mentor
Khalida Popal learn more

Khalida Popal

Founder & Director Girl Power and commercial & women’s Football lead Girl Power & FC Nordsjaelland Denmark
Mentee
Dolores Galindo learn more

Dolores Galindo

President Dragones de Lavapiés Spain
Mentor
Desmond Tomlinson learn more

Desmond Tomlinson

National Coordinator Football Association of Ireland Republic of Ireland
Mentee
Dillon Richardson learn more

Dillon Richardson

Performance and Development Manager World Para Powerlifting at International Paralympic Committee Germany

Mentoring Programme Timeline

  • 20.06.2020 Opening of the call
  • 31.07.2020 Deadline for application
  • 31.08.2020 Announcement of mentoring pairs
  • Sept. 2020 Start of the mentoring: 1st online meeting
  • Nov. 2020 1st offline meeting
  • Oct. 2021 End of mentoring: 2nd offline meeting
  • Nov. 2021 Evaluation

Objectives

  • To build the capacity for the organisations and individuals involved through accelerated exchange of knowledge.
  • To allow direct collaboration between various integration of refugees through sport related projects and initiatives.
  • To build an international network and community.

Who can apply for the mentoring?

  • We are looking for motivated and dedicated individuals who have some experience in the IRTS topic, either as staff or volunteers, and would like to learn and further build their capacity through online and offline opportunities.
  • Any individual active or interested in the integration of refugees through sport topic residing in an Erasmus+ Programme or Partner country.
  • Check the PDF document above for all the details of eligibility.




Integration of Refugees through Sport

  • “Physical activity helps me live today and not think about tomorrow and what’s going to happen. It’s good because it makes you feel good. It doesn’t change the situation, you can’t change it, but you can change your feeling about the situation.”

    Refugee from Afghanistan, Denmark (Ollerup Asylum School)
  • “Physical activity is an ease, a break from mental stress. Although it is not therapy in itself, it has a therapeutic and stabilising effect. It can help in getting the alarm and alertness out of the system. This has been my most culturally enriching experience in many years of teaching PE.”

    Morten Andersson, Denmark (Ollerup Asylum School trainer)
  • “The biggest challenge is to integrate refugees and asylum seekers in sport without creating activities directed only to them. This creates another form of isolation from the rest of the society. The real challenge is to include locals in the activities with refugees.”

    Beatrice Agostini, Italy (UISP Trentino)
  • “The distinction between merely allowing people into a community and welcoming them to such an extent that the community changes is an approach that is essential to human dignity, to the enjoyment of sports and exercising of human rights. Inclusion also emphasises a sense of belonging, which includes feeling respected, valued for who you are, feeling a level of supportive energy and commitment from others.”

    Zakayo Wandoloh, Belgium (Demos)
  • "When we stopped worrying about working with refugees and started playing with them and having fun, the air became lighter. If I learnt something that week it is that sometimes all it takes to rehumanise us is a little dance."

    Javier Mira, Mexico (Ollerup Academy of Physical Education)
  • "We approached these people with love, smiles, and great positive energy. As a result, we received more love and smiles then we could have even imagined! ... The adults were happy and relaxed, seeing their children and family having a great time without concerns, and most didn’t hesitate to interact with us. I really could see how powerful sport is for integration."

    Santiago Villalobos, Portugal (Ollerup Academy of Physical Education)