What keeps young people away from sport, despite recognizing its many physical, mental, and social benefits?

The newly published “Sports Participation and Social Inclusion of Youth – Deep Analysis & Cross-Country Comparative Report”, developed within the Erasmus+ project Sport for Inclusion and Empowerment (SIE), provides evidence-based answers to this important question.

The report presents the findings of a comprehensive study involving 381 young people aged 15–30 from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Greece, and Spain. The research explores young people’s participation in sport, the barriers they face, experiences of exclusion and discrimination, and the solutions they believe would make sport more accessible and inclusive.

Among the key findings, the report highlights that:

• Financial constraints, lack of time, and limited access to nearby sports facilities remain the most common barriers to participation.

• Young people strongly recognize sport as a powerful tool for improving mental well-being, self-confidence, and social inclusion.

• Many respondents would participate more if sports activities were affordable, located closer to their communities, and offered in inclusive, welcoming environments.

• Schools, sports clubs, local authorities, and youth organizations are identified as the key stakeholders responsible for creating more inclusive opportunities.

Beyond presenting the research results, the report offers practical recommendations for policymakers, sports organizations, educational institutions, local authorities, and youth organizations to strengthen the role of sport as a driver of social inclusion and equal opportunities across Europe.

The publication was developed as part of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the Field of Sport project Sport for Inclusion and Empowerment (SIE) and serves as an important evidence base for future project activities and policy development.