SPIN Youth Project Partners gathered in Helsinki, Finland, from 25-27 May 2025 to discuss the progress of ongoing work packages, the interim evaluation report, and next steps. Hosting organization Liikkukaa – Sport for All, further put together a marvellous social program that included the Africa Celebration Day (commemorating the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1963 – replaced by the Africann Union in 2002), a cultural and historic walking tour across Helsinki city center, and delicious Finnish and cosmopolitan food.

SPIN Youth was represented by the following partners:

Stefan Belabed and Kurt Wachter (VIDC-fairplay, Austria – SPIN Youth Coordinators)

Ike Chime, Jean-Marc Alingué, Che Tangwan, Christian Thibault (Liikkukaa Sport for All, Finland)

Raffaella Chiodo-Karpinsky (Unione Italiana Sport Per tutti, Italy)

Des Tomlinson (Football Association of Ireland)

Victoria Schwenzer (Camino, Germany)

Willie Westerhof (Huis voor Bewegung, The Netherlands)

Mirna Hrapovic (IZI, Bosnia and Hercegovina)

Carlota Viveiros (SJPF, Portugal)

Project partners were further joined by SPIN Youth Coordinator Ahmed Hussein who had previously participated at the European Youth Training Academy in Rome in October 2024. He was present in all deliberations and gave insights and feedback from the proceedings and results by the youth panel in Finland. His fellow Youth Coordinator Sarah Chime, unfortunately, could not be present during the partner meeting as she successfully represented Finland at the European Women Championship in American Football in a game against Germany.

Further participants were Malyun Hassan, member of the Finnish Women’s Cricket team and Chair of the United Youth Initiative based in Turku, as well as Kimeka Francis, artist and representative of Rasmus Ry, who presented a SPIN Youth country evaluation report and a video of young testimonials with diverse and Finnish background on their experience with discrimination and racism in Finland. Special guest was Dr. Thomas Sama, Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki. 

The meeting was held under the sad impression of the recent demise of one of the founding members of the Sport Inclusion Network. Gibril Deen, Founder and Chair of the Hungary-based Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Organization had passed away on 15th of May at the age of 79. His contributions to the network and his legacy were emphasized and honoured throughout the meeting.

The meeting’s agenda was as follows:

Monday, 26.5.2025

Welcome by Liikkukaa Chairman Chime Ike

Minute of Silence in Respect of Mr. Gibril Deen (founding member of the Sport Inclusion Network)

Presenting program – Jean-Marc Alingué (Liikkukaa)

Interim evaluation report – Ilona Taimela

Action research reports – Victoria Schwenzer (Camino)

Presentation & report from Rasmus – Kimeka Francis

Conclusion Day 1

Tuesday, 27.5.2025

Next steps in the SPIN Youth project and campaign material European Week of Sport in September – Stefan Belabed (VIDC-fairplay)

Brainstorming next SPIN Erasmus+ application – Kurt Wachter (VIDC-fairplay) and Willie Westerhof (Huis voor Beweging)

Update SPIN project “Inclusive Sport for Young Sahrawi Refugees” – Stefan Belabed (SPIN Network Coordinator)

Conclusion of the partner meeting and lunch.

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