Inclusive Youth Information Award category

SAUEurodeskCUP

Title of the Project

SAUEurodeskCUP

Organisation

TR054 Sakarya University

WEBSITE

https://www.instagram.com/saueurodesk

Project link

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJJz8dbNhck/?igsh=MWYzdmFmaGQ3YjZ2Mg==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DS2ZO8TiKom/?igsh=dWVhc3g2Z2p3NDVo

Project dates

2025-12-18

2025-12-20

What is it about?

SAUEurodeskCUP was an intercultural multi-sport tournament organised at Sakarya University on 18–20 December 2025, designed to combine sport participation with inclusive youth information delivery. The project aimed to use team sports as a social bridge to reach internationally mobile and potentially disadvantaged young people and introduce them to European education and youth opportunities.

The main objectives were to promote social inclusion among international and local students, increase awareness of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), and strengthen Eurodesk’s role as an accessible youth information provider. A further objective was to create a safe environment where young people from different cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds could interact and receive guidance without formal barriers.

The primary target group consisted of internationally mobile students studying at Sakarya University, which hosts more than 5,600 students from 109 countries. Turkish students and local youth formed a secondary group to ensure intercultural exchange. More than 150 athletes from Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Yemen, Egypt, and Türkiye participated directly in the tournament. Beyond these direct participants, the initiative reached significantly wider audiences through on-site spectators and extensive dissemination via social media channels, extending its impact far beyond the listed target groups.

Activities took place in basketball, football, and volleyball branches, organised in a league format over three days on the open sports fields of the “sport-friendly campus.” Alongside the matches, Eurodesk information stands operated continuously, providing face-to-face guidance on Erasmus+, European Solidarity Corps, and youth mobility.

Methodologically, the project applied non-formal education principles by delivering information in a real-life social setting rather than institutional offices. Sport was used as a common language to overcome cultural distance and hesitation, while peer interaction and direct dialogue enabled young people to access information in an informal and trust-based way.

How is this project relevant to the specific category?

SAUEurodeskCUP corresponds directly to the Inclusive Youth Information category because it targeted young people who are often outside structured youth information channels, particularly internationally mobile students who may face language barriers, social isolation, or limited awareness of European programmes.

Inclusiveness was achieved through the choice of format. Team sports such as football, basketball, and volleyball are culturally universal and require no specialised equipment or previous experience. This removed psychological and practical barriers and allowed young people from different countries, genders, and fitness levels to participate on equal terms. The open campus setting further reduced formality and encouraged spontaneous involvement, transforming the sports fields into an accessible intercultural meeting space.

Youth information was not delivered through written campaigns or formal sessions but through direct human interaction and shared experience. Information stands at every match enabled Eurodesk staff and volunteers to adapt explanations to each individual’s language level, background, and needs. This personalised approach supported young people with different educational profiles and learning styles, while the competitive spirit of the matches increased motivation and emotional engagement with the information provided.

The project also addressed structural exclusion. International students in temporary mobility often lack access to local networks and youth services. By bringing Eurodesk directly into their social space, the initiative reduced inequalities in access to information about Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps and transformed sport into an entry point for European opportunities.

Athletes experienced the event through teamwork and fair competition, while spectators perceived themselves as part of an international picture. Participants developed stronger awareness of EU education and youth programmes and gained a clearer understanding that opportunities exist beyond national borders.

Overall, saueurodeskcup demonstrated that inclusive youth information can be achieved by meeting young people in their everyday social environments and by using culturally neutral activities as tools for outreach, empowerment, and European awareness.

What was the impact of the project?

The project created impact at both individual and community levels. For young participants, the tournament offered more than competition: it functioned as a space for social integration and orientation within the host society. International students who might otherwise remain within national groups interacted with peers from different countries and with local students, strengthening intercultural confidence and reducing feelings of isolation. Through teamwork and shared sporting goals, young people developed a stronger sense of belonging to the university and to the wider community.

Access to youth information during matches changed how young people perceived European programmes. Instead of distant institutional concepts, Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) were presented as concrete and reachable opportunities linked to daily life. Many participants approached the information stand with practical questions about volunteering, exchanges, and future mobility pathways, showing increased curiosity and readiness to engage. This informal setting reduced hesitation and enabled young people to discuss personal plans in a supportive atmosphere.

At community level, the initiative transformed the university’s open sports fields into a temporary intercultural forum. Sport became a shared language for coexistence, promoting respect, teamwork, and mutual recognition. The presence of Eurodesk in this space strengthened trust in youth information services and increased their legitimacy among international students.

Beyond the event itself, the tournament generated momentum for longer-term social and cultural participation. The continuation of SAUEurodeskCUP in future editions will provide a stable platform for sustained interaction between international and local students. Participants also expressed interest in attending football, basketball, and volleyball matches organised in the city, extending engagement from campus to urban sports life. In this way, the project supported short-term inclusion and created lasting links between young people, the university, and the host city.

Overall, the initiative promoted active citizenship and intercultural dialogue with lasting effects.

Did the project have any green focus?

Environmental considerations were integrated through practical organisational choices. Activities were held entirely on the university campus, limiting transport needs and encouraging walking-based mobility. Existing outdoor sports fields and equipment were used, avoiding temporary constructions and additional resource consumption. Information provision relied mainly on face-to-face guidance and digital channels, which reduced the need for printed materials and paper waste. Reusable banners and stand materials were used throughout the event, and waste collection points were positioned near the fields to support proper disposal. By promoting outdoor sport and physical activity, the tournament also encouraged environmentally responsible lifestyles linked to wellbeing and sustainable campus culture. Awareness messages subtly highlighted climate responsibility and the benefits of active transport for both health and environment among students and visitors during the tournament. These measures showed that large youth events can be organised with low environmental impact while maintaining high visibility and strong participation.

How did you ensure Eurodesk's visibility in your project?

Eurodesk visibility was embedded in the structure of the tournament rather than treated as a separate promotional activity. Information stands were placed next to the sports fields so that Eurodesk became part of the match experience. Visual identity materials were integrated into the playing area, and announcements consistently linked the tournament with Eurodesk and EU opportunities. Staff and volunteers approached teams between matches and during breaks, transforming visibility into direct contact. Social media communication connected the tournament with international student networks, ensuring recognition both on the campus and among multicultural communities in the city.

Project highlights

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJJz8dbNhck/?igsh=MWYzdmFmaGQ3YjZ2Mg==

Your project on video

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DS0X6BojdQO/?igsh=MWthaGZndjJrOWR6MA==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSu3XlGDRe0/?igsh=MWpjYmppN2NodWpvZw==