The “Ginástica com Todos” project, by the Algarve Gymnastics Association, was one of the three winners of the 2019 edition of the European Union's #BeInclusive Sports Awards. The award was presented this Thursday, at a ceremony in Brussels, by Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.
This year, this competition received a total of 144 entries, nine of which were awarded by decision of independent experts: the six finalists for €2 and the three winners for €500.
“Ginástica com Todos” brings together the Algarve Association of Parents and Friends of Mentally Diminished Children (AAPACDM), the Algarve Gymnastics Association and the Grupo Desportivo e Cultural do Enxerim (Silves).
Like the Sul Informação already told in an article, this project created an adapted gymnastics class, bringing together people with and without disabilities.
The idea is to dispel prejudice and show that, even someone with some kind of disability, can also play sports.
The competition in which the Algarve project was awarded is, since 2017, open to applications from all organizations that develop, within the scope of the Erasmus+ program, sports projects aimed at the social inclusion of ethnic minorities, refugees, people with disabilities or any other group marginalized, whether public or private, commercial or non-profit.
The European Union initiative is based on the idea that, “in addition to being fun, sport brings people together, because it fosters team spirit and the creation of bonds, justice and respect between all athletes, regardless of who they are or where they come from».
In his awards speech, commissioner Tibor Navracsics recalled that “in 2017, I launched the EU's #BeInclusive Sports Awards to celebrate organizations that use their power to bring people together and promote social inclusion. In this third year, we received over 140 entries for the award, many more than last year. The people running these projects are doing a fantastic job on the ground, helping to break down social barriers through sport. I would like to congratulate them all, especially the six finalists and the three winners».
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