Location and general information
Access to Sport - 
Children with disabilities - 
Conflict victims - 
Gender Equality - 
Infrastructure and equipmentContext
In Armenia’s Tavush province, in the northeast of the country, disabled children are excluded from sport, particularly from physical education at school and team sports like football, denying them opportunities for physical development, social interaction and confidence building. Football is often perceived as unsuitable for disabled children and many schools lack the infrastructure and trained educators needed to organise inclusive sports activities.
Girls face particular challenges. Societal norms and stereotypes discourage their participation in traditionally male-dominated sports such as football, and mixed-gender teams are rarely encouraged as a result of deeply rooted cultural prejudices.
These systemic barriers are compounded by a lack of awareness and advocacy about the transformative potential of inclusive sport, at individual, community and policy levels.
Project goals
Main goal
Foster a culture of equality and inclusion in Tavush province using football to ensure that every child – regardless of ability, gender or circumstance – can participate and thrive
Specific objectives
- Upskill physical education teachers and equip them to effectively support and coach children of diverse abilities and backgrounds
- Consolidate and expand inclusive football opportunities in 32 rural communities by strengthening existing teams, establishing new ones and making sports facilities more accessible to ensure equal opportunities for disabled and non-disabled children
- Bring about systemic change by advocating for inclusive sports policies and legislation, engaging key stakeholders, media outlets and government bodies to promote a supportive legal framework and raise public awareness of inclusive football’s transformative impact
Project content
- Teacher training: Weekly training sessions from January to May and September to November to equip educators with the skills to facilitate inclusive and safe physical education classes
- Individual education plans: Collaboration with teachers to integrate inclusive practices into children’s individual education plans, ensuring tailored physical activities for all students
- Infrastructure improvements: From January to March, 16 school football fields will be equipped to meet accessibility standards and provide a safe environment for inclusive sport
- Football training sessions: Starting in April, fortnightly training sessions for 480 children will focus on fundamental skills, teamwork and physical fitness
- Regional and provincial tournaments: Inclusive tournaments in April/May and October/November promoting teamwork and social inclusion
- Advocacy: Workshops and meetings with policymakers from March to November to support legislative reforms for inclusive sport
- Social media campaigns: Monthly campaigns bringing positive impact stories and project achievements to a wider audience and promoting inclusive values
Partners
