Sport once again proves that it is much more than competition: it is a bridge to dignity, hope, and inclusion. The Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF), in collaboration with the Sport for Refugees Coalition, has awarded four grants of $50,000 each to projects seeking to transform the lives of displaced people. These initiatives not only offer sporting activities but also create safe spaces where trust, respect, and community flourish in the face of adversity.

With presence in Lebanon, Greece, Cyprus, and Germany, the selected projects focus on two key priorities: Connecting Communities and Sport Against Hate. Both lines of action show how sport can become a tool for peace, capable of countering discrimination and misinformation, while also strengthening bonds between refugees and host communities. ORF’s commitment is clear: to invest in initiatives that generate lasting change, led by those experiencing displacement firsthand.

Sport that connects and transforms communities

In northern Lebanon, wheelchair basketball is opening paths of inclusion in Palestinian refugee camps, where children with disabilities face daily stigma and barriers. With the support of PACES Charity and Threads of Peace, this initiative seeks not only to develop sporting skills but also to foster reconciliation and acceptance among families and surrounding communities. Each training session becomes an opportunity for young people to regain confidence and dream of a future where disability is not a limitation but a source of unity.

In Greece, yoga, fitness, and skateboarding come together as universal languages to overcome xenophobia and build bridges between refugees and residents of Athens. Through the joint work of Yoga & Sport with Refugees and Free Movement Skateboarding, squares and public spaces are transformed into venues of coexistence and integration. Young refugees not only take part in these activities but also assume leadership roles as coaches, proving that sport can empower and open paths of resilience against social isolation.

Breaking barriers and fighting hate

In Cyprus, the PASS project uses football as a means to challenge narratives of hate and misinformation against refugees. Through tournaments, workshops, and media campaigns, young people learn to recognize and counter harmful discourse, becoming active advocates of tolerance and respect. This initiative shows that sport, when combined with education and communication, has the power to transform perceptions and dismantle deeply rooted prejudices.

Meanwhile, in Germany, the Girl Power program is working in Hamburg to help young refugee girls become coaches and leaders in sport. With the support of Butterfly by Yusra Mardini, the project aims to break down gender barriers and provide adolescent girls with safe spaces where they can thrive without fear of discrimination. By training them as mentors and role models, the initiative not only broadens their access to sport but also equips them with tools to inspire other girls who, like them, face the challenge of building a new life far from their home country.