Tomás Seré, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Leaders Program, has launched “Proyecto En JueGo,” an initiative that uses sports to equip children and adolescents in Buenos Aires with essential life skills. Inspired by his parents’ volunteer work at an orphanage and his own sporting experiences, Seré seeks to help young people develop confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

The project, launched in 2024, complements school education with physical activities and values from the Olympic Values Education Program, such as respect, effort, and friendship. Proyecto En JueGo began in foster homes, offering weekly soccer and judo sessions for children aged 6 to 13, and has grown to reach more neighborhoods and communities. The project is currently in the fundraising and development phase, with the aim of continuing to expand its reach and social impact.

From personal experience to social impact

Seré, who never aspired to be a professional athlete, found in sport a way to forge his identity and leadership. His participation in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires reinforced his commitment to Olympic values and prompted him to create a project with a real impact on his community.

Currently, “Proyecto En JueGo” works in neighborhoods such as Fraga Chacarita and Moreno, where basketball and boxing programs have been implemented to keep young people off the streets and foster interpersonal skills. The program also encourages teenagers to explore different roles in sport, from players to coaches and referees.

Inclusion and growth of the project

The initiative is committed to inclusion, collaborating with the “Fundación Socialmente” to organize activities aimed at people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. Among the most notable experiences are a tennis event at the Argentina Open and a special session with Juan Pablo Castet, world table tennis champion with Down syndrome.

In its first year, “Proyecto En JueGo” has reached more than 120 children and has grown from working with a single orphanage to managing seven active programs in Buenos Aires. The team of volunteers now numbers more than 25 people, and the project continues to grow, incorporating new disciplines such as sailing so that young people can be “captains of their own ship.”

The IOC Youth Leaders Program, created in 2016, seeks to empower young people to use sport as a driver of change in their communities. This initiative is part of Olympism365, the IOC’s strategy to promote sport as a key tool in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.