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European Social Fund Plus
SIM case study2025-06-08

Sport4Empowerment

Sport4Empowerment is a national programme led by Sport Ireland that uses sport and physical activity as
tools for social change. It targets individuals at risk of social exclusion and poverty—such as ethnic
minorities, youth at risk, persons with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The programme empowers participants through co-creation, ensuring that initiatives are developed with—not
just for—target groups, using a design thinking approach. The mission of Sport4Empowerment is: "To
develop and implement a people-first programme to improve lives, create meaningful opportunities and a
sense of belonging through sport and physical activity."
The programme is implemented across Ireland through a network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), with
each ESF+ Social Innovation in Sport Officer designing initiatives that respond to local needs. These context specific projects feed into a national learning agenda. The programme is underpinned by four pillars of
success:
Increased participation in sport and physical activity
Enhanced education and training opportunities
Improved employment prospects
Greater social inclusion
A national structure supports the network of ESF+ Social Innovation in Sport Officers with regular peer-topeer
learning, innovation training, communications guidance, and a robust monitoring and evaluation
framework.

Case study details

Lead organisation
Countries
Ireland
Themes
Active inclusion and employability
Integration of marginalised communities
Social integration of those at risk
Target groups
Individuals with disabilities
Migrants and ethnic minorities
Individuals experiencing poverty or social exclusion
Level of action
National
Source of funding
Public - EU
Public - national
Project start
2023
Type of initiative
Integrating disadvantaged groups
Internet and social
EU fund
ESF/ESF+