EU Sports Awards 2026: Award for our “Sport Zajedno” project
“Sport Zajedno” is thus among the top three sports projects in Europe in the ‘Peace’ category for 2025—an award that “recognizes the importance and impact of sports on social cohesion and our long-standing work in the Western Balkans region,” according to David Hudelist of the fairplay Initiative, who accepted the award alongside Zorana Parezanovic.
Partnerships Key to Success
“Sport Zajedno” was launched by the fairplay Initiative at VIDC in partnership with the grassroots soccer club NK Zagreb 041 from Croatia, the NGO Atina from Serbia, the “Igraijmo Zajedno Inicijativa” (IZI) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) from Montenegro, and the women’s soccer club KFV Pristhina from Kosovo. It aims to promote dialogue within divided communities and social cohesion through sports in the Western Balkans region. In addition, a network of multipliers was established in each country to implement local sports projects.
Focus on Young Multipliers and Local Communities
The project also helped create sustainable structures; for example, Amina Tukic and Ivana Cadjenovic launched the “Igra za Sve” (“Play for All”) sports initiative in Montenegro. Many other multipliers continue to work closely with partner organizations and within their local communities.
“Through the Sport Zajedno project, I’ve seen how easy it can be for children to overcome differences.” Amina Tukić, Project Multiplier, Montenegro
The Significance of the Award
The EU Sports Award recognizes outstanding initiatives that use sports to promote peace and social integration. Our participation as a finalist is not only a sign of recognition but also motivates us to continue our mission with even greater dedication and passion.
“Peace was not simply handed to us—or to the children and young people in the Western Balkans today. We must constantly work for it, and in many places we are still scarred by the past. That is precisely why projects like Sport Zajedno offer young people a sense of hope and bring people across the region together.” (Zorana Parezanovic, NGO Atina – Serbia)
