The SPIN project “Inclusive Sport for Young Sahrawi Refugees” addresses the pressing need for quality sport and physical activity in a most challenging context in the desert camps of Southwest Algeria near Tindouf. The conflict over the independence of Western Sahara – since 1975 under Moroccan occupation – has left roughly 200.000 people stranded in 5 refugee camps, an environment marked by rough weather conditions and a dangerous scarcity of food and other supplies. While the Sahrawis have shown great effort and resilience in setting up and sustaining a political and social infrastructure, daily life especially for children and youth remains lacks opportunities for organized sport and physical activity. Together with 25 educators and facilitators from across all camps, along with the Sahrawi Ministry of Education, our network partner Unione Italiana Sport Per tutti (UISP) has put together this training manual that serves as a basic tool for all who seek to support young Sahrawis through sport and social inclusion.

Based on a training workshop in May 2025 and subsequent local trainings in early 2026 – involving over 70 trainers and teachers, this manual focuses on the pedagogy of child-centerd sport, providing a selection of motor games and activities that can easily be replicated in a the specific Sahrawi refugee context.

Our project will peak with inclusive sport events in all 5 camps in May 2026. Following an evaluation with all partners, we seek to continue our collaboration with our Sahrawi partners in the months and years to come.

The training manual is available for download in English and Arabic/Hassaniya.