SO Poland athletes taking part in the Scort Foundation’s Young Coach Education Programme in response to the war in Ukraine in 2023. Credit: Scort Foundation/Football Club Social Alliance (FCSA).

DUBLIN, March 8, 2024 - Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (SOEE) has partnered with Scort Foundation to provide educational opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities through football development programmes across the region.

By leveraging the reach, network and expertise of both organizations, this collaboration aims to create sustainable pathways for personal growth and social integration. Participants will not only gain valuable skills and knowledge but also build confidence and forge meaningful connections within their communities.

SOEE President and Managing Director David Evangelista said: “Through this partnership with Scort Foundation, we seek not only to transform lives through sport, but also reshape perceptions and foster a more inclusive, more equitable society.  

“Together, we have a strong opportunity to expand impact, strengthen local programming worldwide, and build a world where everyone is valued, included.”
Scort Foundation Co-CEO Julia Lambrecht added: "Our collaboration with Special Olympics Europe Eurasia underscores our dedication to promoting social integration and empowering vulnerable communities.

“At Scort Foundation, we are leveraging the universal language of football to drive meaningful impact and create a more equitable future for all."
 

Special Olympics in Europe Eurasia encompasses a diverse range of cultures, languages and customs traversing 58 countries in Western, Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. From Iceland to Israel, and Portugal to Kazakhstan, Special Olympics promotes respect, inclusion and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sports.

The Scort Foundation is committed to the idea of a world where children can play sports despite difficult conditions, and have role models that inspire them. The main mandate of the Scort Foundation is the development and administration of the Football Club Social Alliance (FCSA).
The FCSA is a partnership of professional European football clubs. Through tailored education programmes, FCSA enhances young people’s coaching and leadership capacity and promotes the integration of the most vulnerable, including refugees, persons of low socio-economic backgrounds, and persons with disabilities.