The European Union has increasingly recognized the role of sports in promoting sustainability, using it as a platform to reduce environmental impact and raise awareness about climate change. In line with this, the “STELLA” project (Sport as a Tool for Environmental Sustainability Learning) has been launched to address the EU’s priority on Environment and Climate Change. Spanning from March 2024 to February 2026, this initiative aims to empower youth workers, trainers, and young people in five European countries—Italy, Malta, Greece, Portugal, and Cyprus—to promote sustainable behaviors and environmental awareness through sports.
STELLA’s key objectives include enhancing environmental education among youth, equipping trainers with sport-related non-formal education (NFE) tools, and positioning young people as change agents for sustainability. Over 24 months, various activities will take place, such as the development of a toolkit on environmental sustainability education through sport, a training session for 20 trainers in Malta, and 25 local workshops engaging at least 500 youth. The project will also run an online campaign to reach over 100,000 people with inspiring content on sports and the environment.
The project will culminate in an international roundtable with 125 participants and the dissemination of a toolkit designed to maximize impact and encourage youth organizations to foster environmental sustainability. The project’s results will be shared through final events in all participating countries, providing a platform for dialogue between youth and decision-makers, and contributing to a greener, more inclusive future within the EU.