Exchange House Ireland's 2nd RoundTable was in conjunction with Sport Ireland as part of their Sport4Empowerment project. 

The meeting began with an introduction to Sport Ireland's new "Sport 4 Empowerment" (S4E) programme, a key initiative within Ireland’s EIST Programme for 2021–2027. This programme is designed to create social inclusion opportunities through sport and physical activity, specifically targeting those at risk of social exclusion and poverty. As part of the social innovation priority of the EIST programme, S4E will focus on developing and scaling innovative ideas and methods to address social issues using user-focused design thinking. This approach enhances creative problem-solving and innovation, enabling successful projects to achieve national impact. Sport and physical activity will serve as the primary mechanisms to engage and support the identified target communities through these innovative programmes.

Networking:

Participants engaged in a dynamic networking session, using a speed dating format to foster quick and meaningful connections. Each participant introduced themselves, sharing their name, organisation, and connection to sport. Additionally, they shared something exciting happening in their lives, which helped build rapport and set a positive tone for the day’s discussions.

Group Discussions:

Participants then split into smaller groups to delve into the challenges facing the Traveller community, particularly in relation to employment and sports engagement. The discussions highlighted systemic issues such as discrimination, low employment opportunities, and inadequate health and education supports. Specific challenges in the sports sector were also identified, including negative experiences in primary-level education, unwelcoming attitudes from sports clubs, and discrimination from coaches, teammates, and referees. Additionally, the lack of awareness of Traveller culture within sports bodies, economic barriers to participation, and the absence of Traveller role models in sports were noted as significant obstacles. The discussions underscored the importance of addressing these issues to improve Traveller involvement in sports.

Overlap with Moving On Project:

The group reviewed the findings of the "Moving On: Access to Sport for Roma, Sinti, and Travellers in Sports" research, which highlighted common challenges faced by similar communities across the European Union. The review emphasised the alignment between the goals of Sport Ireland’s S4E programme and those of the Moving On Project, particularly in promoting inclusion and addressing discrimination in sports.

Pictures from the meeting can viewed by clicking here