Diversity Wins Partners Gather Online to Kick Off European Collaboration

March 17, 2022

The Diversity Wins project officially began its journey in March 2023 with the first online transnational partner meeting, bringing together clubs, foundations, and organisations from across Europe. Hosted by Show Racism the Red Card Netherlands (SRtRC NL) together with the European Football for Development Network (EFDN), the meeting marked the start of a three-year commitment to tackle discrimination and promote inclusion through football.

Setting the Stage

During the two-day virtual event, more than 20 representatives from all consortium partners joined online to review the project’s objectives, expected outcomes, and activity plans. The session ensured that each organisation clearly understood its role, responsibilities, and timelines within the broader European framework.

The kick-off included presentations on:

• The overarching aims of Diversity Wins, focused on anti-racism, gender equality, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and disability awareness.
• The educational tools to be developed, including school workbooks, teacher guides, and grassroots club activities.
• The coordination and monitoring framework, designed to help partners report on impact consistently.

A Shared Commitment

The meeting also provided an opportunity for partners to share their initial national action plans. From Belgium and Spain to Germany, Norway, and Scotland, each partner demonstrated their readiness to adapt the programme to their local communities while working toward a shared European vision.

“From the very beginning, we wanted to make sure every partner felt ownership of this project,” said Hubert Rovers, Chairman of Show Racism the Red Card Netherlands. “This first meeting set the tone: we are stronger together, and by working across borders we can make football a safer, more inclusive space for everyone.”

Laying the Foundations

The online kick-off ensured that Diversity Wins began with clarity and unity, reducing the environmental impact of travel while still achieving strong engagement. All partners left the meeting with a clear roadmap, including the preparation of national work plans and the translation of learning materials into local languages.

This first online gathering laid the foundation for what would become a dynamic and challenging journey—uniting football clubs and communities across Europe in the fight against discrimination.