Location and general information
Access to Sport - 
Conflict victims - 
Gender Equality - 
Personal developmentContext
Lithuania has faced significant challenges in recent years: as it did in many places, the stress and anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic weakened the population’s mental health; the war in Ukraine has strained relations with the Russian community and led to an influx of Ukrainian migrants; and economic difficulties, including inflation and rising poverty, have amplified social disparities.
Football in Lithuania is not accessible to vulnerable children and adolescents because it is largely run as a fee-paying, results-oriented activity.
Vilnius Social Club works with particularly vulnerable groups facing any combination of the following challenges:
- Economic challenges and social inequality
- Religious discrimination against Middle Eastern migrants
- Racism towards the Roma community
- Psychological trauma from fleeing the war in Ukraine
- Hostility towards the Russian-speaking community
- Isolation and inadequate services in rural areas
Project goals
Overall goal
Achieve qualitative changes in participants' lives, not just sports results
Specific objectives
- Develop children's personal and social skills: independence, teamwork, responsibility, ability to compromise
- Ensure equal opportunities for everyone to participate, regardless of religion, race, gender, social or economic status
- Ensure the continuity of the programme in the city of Vilnius
- Begin implementing the programme in smaller settlements within the Vilnius district municipality
Project content
The programme is all about using football activities for social integration. Participants grow individually through the football programme, learning teamwork, emotional management, constructive problem-solving and communication with peers and adults, and reflecting on their experiences. The programme embraces diversity, welcoming children of all genders, personalities and nationalities, ensuring inclusion and equal opportunities for all. And it strengthens community awareness, fostering a sense of belonging for all members of the community.
Partners
