Youth-Drop-In Sports: First steps taken in Rome

Youth Drop-In Sports is a European project aimed at tackling the increasing drop-out rate among young people in grassroots sport. By identifying the underlying causes and developing practical, inclusive strategies, the project seeks to keep more youth engaged and active. Led by AICS, the project brings together a strong network of partners committed to building a more accessible and supportive sport environment:

• CSIT
• FSGT (France)
• UCEC (Spain)
• RKB Solidarität (Germany)
• and Sport e Salute S.p.A. (Italy)

The project officially entered its implementation phase with a successful kickoff meeting in Rome. Held at the historic Olympic Center “Giulio Onesti,” this first in-person meeting marked a key milestone in the collaborative effort to address youth disengagement in sport.

The meeting brought together all project partners for two days of focused discussions and joint activities. A major highlight was the needs analysis session, which involved reviewing and reflecting on data collected by Sport e Salute. This analysis provided valuable insight into the barriers preventing young people from staying active in sports and helped shape the direction of future interventions. Throughout the meeting, working group sessions enabled the partners to begin identifying root causes of sports drop-out and draft early strategies for overcoming them. Participants also took part in a guided tour of the Olympic Center - a location rich in sporting history - which served as a powerful reminder of the inspiring role of sport. 

With strong engagement from all sides, the project has taken a confident step forward. In the coming stages, coaches and youth workers will further contribute their practical experience and help to translate the strategies into real-world impact.

The project runs through the end of the year and aims to promote a more inclusive, supportive environment in sport - one where all young people can stay involved and thrive.