Sport as a tool to combat radicalization: the SCORE project 

Play International, a pioneering NGO within Groupe SOS that utilizes sport as a tool for education and social inclusion, has launched the project Sport Connects Against Radicalisation in Europe (SCORE). Funded by the European Erasmus+ program, this ambitious initiative aims to harness the power of sport to build resilience among young people at risk of radicalization—whether religious, political, ethno-nationalist, or linked to violent extremism—across Europe.

The project is based on a simple but essential observation: sport is not merely a physical activity but also a powerful tool for inclusion and personal development. SCORE seeks to use this educational dimension of sport to combat radicalization by identifying common traits among young Europeans vulnerable to radicalization and strengthening the psychosocial skills needed to resist it. 

Building on these insights, European partners from France and the Western Balkans each with complementary expertise in sports, non-formal education, and counter-radicalization will develop innovative educational content based on sport. 

The activities under the SCORE project will enhance the capacities of educators and partner organizations, equipping them to work effectively with at-risk youth. Socio-sports sessions will be designed to help young people develop interpersonal skills and resilience against radical ideologies and influences. 

A deep and lasting impact 

Through SCORE, Play International and its partners aim not only to raise awareness and train educators and sports organizations about the factors leading to radicalization but also to provide them with the tools needed for effective preventive action. More than 600 young people will directly benefit from the project, gaining personal and interpersonal skills that will increase their resilience to radicalization. The project also seeks to raise awareness among regional and European stakeholders about the importance of sport as a tool for preventing radicalization, while simultaneously enhancing the capacities of organizations and educators involved in this field. 

A collective European effort 

This innovative project is driven by a consortium of one French partner and three partners from the Western Balkans: 

• PLAY International (France): a pioneering organization in the use of sport for development and education; 

• Regional Sport Initiative – Playing Together (Montenegro): a key player in promoting inclusive and educational sports in the Balkans; 

• Together Advancing Common Trust (TAKT) (North Macedonia): a specialist in non-formal education and community engagement; 

• Democracy through Sport (Kosovo): an expert in using sport for development and the prevention of radicalization. 

With financial support from the European Erasmus+ program, Play International uses sport to strengthen social cohesion and build a more resilient and inclusive Europe. 

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