RUN AND SMILE - Inspirational Voices from Malta to Slovakia

RUN AND SMILE, an inspiring booklet featuring 24 personalities from Malta and Slovakia who shared their perspectives on social inclusion was at the heart of the Erasmus+ INCLUSION FIRST project. Through the stories, the publication highlighted the transformative power of sports while bridging personal experiences with key EU sports policies. By bringing these policies to life, the booklet made them more relatable and accessible to a wider audience, encouraging meaningful engagement with inclusion efforts at all levels. More than just a collection of narratives, RUN AND SMILE served as a practical tool for advocacy, education, and policy promotion.

The INCLUSION FIRST project was dedicated to promoting social inclusion through the values of sport. A key objective was to make EU sports policies more understandable and applicable for non-governmental sports organizations, particularly at the local level. The project's digital platform played an essential role in achieving this goal, providing resources and fostering connections between stakeholders.

The project's name reflected its core mission - not only emphasizing the priority of inclusion but also serving as an acronym for its five guiding principles: FRIENDSHIP, INNOVATIONS, RUNNING, SUSTAINABILITY, and TEAMWORK. These values shaped its activities and reinforced the idea that sport can be a powerful vehicle for social change.

Building on the latest EU sports agenda, the project consortium advanced key policy initiatives, including the Council conclusions on sport as a platform for social inclusion, developed under the Maltese Presidency, and the Council conclusions on sport diplomacy, formulated during the Slovak Presidency. By collaborating with selected countries, the project contributed to the continued implementation of these priorities within the EU sports framework.

With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and digitalization, the project aligned with the Erasmus+ 2021-2027 priorities, particularly in promoting the green and digital transitions. By fostering small-scale partnerships, it expanded access to the programme for underrepresented stakeholders in the sports sector, strengthening transnational networks and enhancing cooperation across local, regional, national, and international policies. Ultimately, INCLUSION FIRST demonstrated how sport, storytelling, and policy can intersect to drive meaningful, long-term impact.