At EULink, we are pleased to announce the publication of the first two key deliverables of the Waves of Inclusion (WoI) project, funded by the European Union, the Literature Review and the Practitioner Toolkit. As the coordinator of this Erasmus+ Sport initiative, EULink is proud to work alongside partners from Greece, Romania, and Poland to support the social inclusion, emotional resilience, and well-being of Ukrainian refugee youth aged 10-17 through an innovative combination of water-based sports and mindfulness practices. These two deliverables represent an important milestone in the project’s preparation phase and provide the evidence base and practical framework that will guide activities implemented with refugee and local youth in Romania and Poland over the coming months.
Developed by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) in collaboration with EULink, the Literature Review explores the scientific evidence underpinning the project’s methodology. The review focuses on two key questions:
- How can water-based physical activity support the mental, physical, and social well-being of displaced and vulnerable youth?
- How can mindfulness practices contribute to emotional resilience, trauma recovery, and self-regulation among adolescents?
Although these areas have been studied independently, their combination, particularly in relation to refugee youth, remains relatively underexplored. The review therefore synthesises research from adapted physical activity, aquatic therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, trauma-informed practice, and social inclusion studies, helping establish a strong theoretical foundation for the project.
More than an academic document, the Literature Review serves as a practical resource for educators, trainers, youth workers, researchers, sports professionals, and organisations interested in inclusive and evidence-based approaches to youth support.
Complementing the research component, the Practitioner Toolkit transforms evidence into practical action. Developed by NKUA in collaboration with EULink, the toolkit offers trainers and facilitators practical guidance for delivering water-based sport activities and mindfulness sessions in mixed groups of refugee and local youth. The toolkit includes:
- Structured activity proposals
- Mindfulness exercises and session plans
- Facilitation guidelines for trainers and youth workers
- Inclusive participation recommendations
Importantly, the toolkit is designed as a flexible and adaptable resource, rather than a fixed program. Participants in the Waves of Inclusion project bring diverse experiences, languages, cultural backgrounds, emotional needs, and levels of confidence in aquatic environments. The toolkit therefore prioritises accessibility and meaningful participation for all.
At EULink, we are excited to continue this journey together with our partners and to contribute to creating more inclusive, resilient, and supportive communities for young people.
We warmly invite educators, trainers, youth workers, sports organisations, and community practitioners to explore these resources and join us in promoting innovative approaches to inclusion and well-being. You can access the resources here: Literature review and Toolkit
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https://www.facebook.com/wavesofinclusion
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.