Football3: Building Bridges Through the Game

In Sarajevo, the city that lives and breathes sport, football has transcended its conventional boundaries. It’s no longer just about goals, dribbling, or victories. On these green pitches, football has evolved into a bridge connecting diverse worlds, becoming a tool for learning about tolerance, respect, and friendship.

This spirit of inclusion and mutual respect was the foundation of two-day workshops organized in collaboration with UNHCR Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina, supported by UEFA. The event gathered children from different parts of the world, with shared dreams and different stories, united through the “Football3 as a Method of Social Change” project, with participation of 115 children. The workshops focused on teaching children from various social groups – including refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and local community children – about the importance of respect, tolerance, and inclusion through sports, transforming the football field into a space where life lessons are learned, and bridges of understanding among youth from different cultures and backgrounds are built.

The first day was dedicated to educating coaches and teachers about the “Football3” methodology, where coaches became mediators and players – ambassadors of fair play. “Football3” is unique – there are no referees. The children set the rules, resolve conflicts, and assess fair play. “This methodology changes football. It’s not just about goals, it’s about understanding and respect,” explained one of the coaches. The following day was for the children, with the workshop dedicated to them. The field was filled with laughter and excitement. Among these young players, a boy from Ukraine stood out, his eyes sparkling as he spoke: “This means a lot to me! I’ve learned not just about football, but also about friendship. It’s more important how we play than who wins. Even though we don’t speak the same language, we understand each other perfectly on the field.”

A workshop for parents and guardians was a key segment in further emphasizing the importance of sports in the social development of children. As part of the workshop, the B&H Women’s Initiative Foundation held a special presentation on “The Significance and Impact of Sports on the Healthy Growth and Development of Children.” The focus was on understanding how involvement in sports contributes to the physical, emotional, and social development of children, the role of parents and coaches in this process, and overcoming obstacles in sports activities for children and parents. Experts highlighted the psychological benefits of sports and its crucial role in the character building in children, as well as the importance of inclusion in sports activities.

Mr. Alija Porča, from the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina, explained that the association, as a socially responsible organization, pays special attention to the social integration of vulnerable categories, especially children. “Through the ‘Social Integration through Football’ project using the Football3 method, which we are implementing with our partner UNHCR and with the support of UEFA, we aim to involve children from refugee and migrant categories, as well as local children from vulnerable populations, in social activities through local clubs,” Mr. Porča said. After Bihać and Sarajevo, the project will be concluded with an event in the Herzegovina region.

As the weekend drew to a close, the children parted, enriched with new friendships and life lessons to cherish. Football was the medium, but its message resonated deeper: “We are different, but on the field, we are one.” The “Football3” project surpassed the confines of a mere sporting event, becoming a symbol of unity and mutual understanding. Young footballers, regardless of their origin, discovered a common language – the language of sport, conveying values of tolerance, respect, and togetherness, laying the foundations for a future that values diversity and celebrates unity.