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
Benjamin Renauld learn more

Benjamin Renauld

Project Manager Royal Europa Kraainem Football Club Belgium
Mentee
Frigyes Hegyi learn more

Frigyes Hegyi

Trainer Oltalom Sport Association Hungary
Mentor
Cristina Vladescu learn more

Cristina Vladescu

Project Manager Terre des hommes Foundation Romania
Mentee
Mihai Androhovici learn more

Mihai Androhovici

Vice President Romanian Federation Sport for All Romania
Mentor
Daniela Conti learn more

Daniela Conti

Projecting department, Social policies, International relationship UISP Italy
Mentee
Gerardina Caputo learn more

Gerardina Caputo

Project coordinator Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Dojo Karate Pyros Italy
Mentor
Emmanuelle Schach learn more

Emmanuelle Schach

Programme and Grants Manager Streetfootballworld Germany
Mentee
Marta Cristianini learn more

Marta Cristianini

Project Coordinator Liberi Nantes ASD Italy
Mentor
Julie Lenormant learn more

Julie Lenormant

Project manager of social innovation projects Play International France
Mentee
Wim Poelmans learn more

Wim Poelmans

Programme Manager Run Free & SPIRIT, Flemish Athletics Federation Belgium
Mentor
Hanna Johansson learn more

Hanna Ellen Havstam Johansson

Project Leader at Street Games project RF-SISU Vastra Gotaland Sweden
Mentee
Vasiliki Anastasopoulou learn more

Vasiliki Anastasopoulou

Sports Educator and Football coach Freelancer Greece
Mentor
Karine Teow learn more

Karine Teow

Field programs manager ITTF Foundation Germany
Mentee
Zina Mameri learn more

Zina Mameri

Educational Officer Fútbol Más France
Mentor
Karina Lackner learn more

Karina Lackner

Co-Founder and Programme Director Kicken ohne Grenzen Austria
Mentee
Nagin Ravand learn more

Nagin Ravand

Vice-president Mino Ung Aarhus Denmark
Mentor
Martyn Rijkhoff learn more

Martyn Rijkhoff

Project manager Stichting European Football for Development Network (EFDN) the Netherlands
Mentee
Katerina Salta learn more

Katerina Salta

Co-founder/Manager Hestia FC Greece
Mentor
Mia Salvemini learn more

Mia Salvemini

Project Manager SchweryCade Switzerland
Mentee
Mridul Kataria learn more

Mridul Kataria

Researcher/Volunteer Flag21 Switzerland
Mentor
Raffaella Karpinsky learn more

Raffaella Chiodo Karpinsky

Project Manager UISP Italy
Mentee
Gena Sturgon learn more

Gena Sturgon

Founder Play2EDUCATE Kosovo

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)