Terrains d’Avenir is an ambitious programme helping displaced young people based in the the Île-de-France region, including Paris, France.
The programme aims to help refugees and asylum seekers in the region find a sense of belonging and set themselves on a positive life path through sport.
France has over 455,000 recognised refugees, over 132,000 asylum seekers and many other displaced people, with the majority based in the Greater Paris region. Refugees are mainly from Afghanistan, Syria, Sri Lanka, Russia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and now, Ukraine.
Among the numerous difficulties they face, is that there are limited opportunities for them to interact with local communities, some of whom may hold negative views of immigrants. In addition, few services exist to help displaced young people deal with the trauma caused by their forced migration.
By widening access to safe sport, and by training other service providers on the use of sport in protecting young refugees, the Terrains d’Avenir programme aims to improve the social inclusion of young displaced people in their new communities. This then has a positive effect on their personal development, physical and mental well-being, feelings of empowerment, as well as social skills and networks, improved intercultural communication and helping increase their chances of future employment.
This programme will help more than 6000 young people aged 10 to 24 to access safe sport, as well as benefiting their families, volunteers, sports clubs, and the general public indirectly.
We’re delighted to be working with the Ministry of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, NGOs - Kabubu, PLAY international, Emmaüs Solidarité, Ovale Citoyen, Fútbol Más - and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation. These locally based organisations are leading the implementation of the programme on the ground. We also acknowledge and are grateful to our close collaboration with Ville de Paris, the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) and UNHCR France.
Ensuring displaced young people have access to safe sports including rugby, football, taekwondo, volleyball and basketball, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, education, or ability to speak French.
Organising regular events to help create social links between refugees and their host communities and improve the mental health and wellbeing of young refugees.
Arranging training and support activities to help young refugees with an interest in sport as a future vocation.
Raising awareness among sports educators, social workers institutions, public services and the general public on the power of sport for protection.
The Olympic Refuge Foundation has committed over €1.8 million to this initiative which launched in February 2022 and will run for three years. This is the first of the foundation’s programmes to be based in a high-income country and, with the Olympic Games 2024 being held in Paris, it’s a fitting location for the foundation’s first project in Europe, combining the Olympic spirit of ambition, hope and determination, and the role sport holds in the service of humanity.