The sharing of best practices and ideas in Budapest

BUDAPEST - At an event organised by the European Football for Development Network (EFDN), clubs who are leading the way in terms of social responsibility were guests of Ferencvárosi TC to discuss the different approaches and strategies in social and educational projects. There were representatives from Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Montrose FC, Feyenoord and Inter.

Each club presented their methods, first in the classroom and then on the pitch. Feyenoord showed the links between sports and mathematics, Bayer 04 presented their work in schools and anti-bullying effort. Montrose with the Links Park Community Trust discussed the use of football in reigniting memories in people with dementia. Finally, Ferencvárosi TC had everyone participate in the 'Fradi school program’ which brings together sportspeople who remind students at a school of the importance of combining sporting activity with hard work in their studies.

Along with sharing its methods and strategy, Inter Campus was given the opportunity to exhibit training and play with the boys and girls involved in the project in Hungary. Around ethnically Roma 20 children from Szendrolád joined with children from the Cseppko Orphanage in Budapest to spend the afternoon together. After training, there was a guided visit of the orphanage with its director who showed what daily life is like there and how Inter Campus is involved.

After four days, we were all more aware of the large variety of different approaches that social projects can take on, even if all use the values of sport as a tool for social change.