Manual “Youth involvement in democratic processes and Sport activities”

The manual “Youth involvement in democratic processes and Sport activities” was developed as one of the results of the P2P project — Play to Participate – Participate to Play. It was developed by TDM 2000 Malta as part of Work Package 2 – Research and submitted as public Deliverable 2.1 in September 2024. 

The manual is designed as a comprehensive guide for organisations, policymakers, educators, practitioners, sport clubs, trainers, youth workers and young leaders who want to strengthen youth involvement in democratic processes through sport activities. It provides practical tools, evidence-based strategies and guidance on how sport can be used as a platform for youth engagement, leadership, inclusion and active citizenship. 

The publication explores the current state of youth involvement in the project partner countries — Serbia, Italy, Portugal, Greece and Malta. It presents research findings on youth participation in social and civic activities, identifies barriers to participation, and maps good practices, mechanisms and models that can support stronger youth involvement through sport. 

A special value of the manual is that it connects the youth and sport sectors. It shows that sport can be more than physical activity or competition — it can also be a space for dialogue, cooperation, leadership development and meaningful participation in community life. The manual also includes practical implementation steps, sustainability ideas and case studies that can inspire organisations to create more inclusive and youth-friendly participation opportunities. 

The manual is available for download in the Results section of the project website.