Balkan and Central Europe
When the initiative FairPlay. Different colours. One game. started during the European year against racism in 1997, black players and critical fans were in the minority. Back then monkey chants at black players, separated cabins for “gipsy kids” and open right-extremist symbols used to be the "dark side" of football. The football governing bodies simply stated that racism was a social problem rather than a problem of football itself in order to pass on their responsibility. But times have changed. In many countries racism and discrimination in sports is not seen as trivial offence anymore.
FairPlay as part of the Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation (VIDC) evolved to an acknowledged initiative fighting racism and discrimination throughout Austria. Together with fans, clubs and associations we use the integrative power of football in the fight against racism, nationalism and homophobia in the stadiums.
One of our main objectives is the equal participation of migrants and ethnic minorities on all levels of sport.
FairPlay managed to create sustainable partnerships with all relevant stakeholders in football on national and European level. This extensive network represents the basis of our successful work.
More information about FairPlay-VIDC: www.fairplay.or.at
Stronger Together - FairPlay activities in the Balkans
Since 2006 FairPlay-VIDC in cooperation with the Balkan Alpe Adria Project - BAAP has realised projects in order to overcome nationalism, ethnocentrism and racism in the Balkans being backed by the King Baudoin Foundation, UEFA and local football associations.
Following the successful initiation of the Football Unites the Alps, Adriatic and the Balkans campaign 2006 – 2009 from BAAP, FairPlay-VIDC, the European network FARE, the King Baudouin Foundation and various regional and international stakeholders, activities such as the Balkaniade, the Football Unites workshops, anti-racism activities with national football associations and clubs, the FARE action weeks and the international FairPlay youth tournament Vienna meets Balkan were set to continue until June 2012.
Thereby the main focus is to be put on projects for youth by transporting anti-racism and anti-nationalism messages in the field of sports.
The idea is to further deepen the international dialogue with the countries of the Western Balkans and strenghten network structures in the region in order to develop a constructive intercultural exhange combined with educational elements.
Our aim is
to promote a broad commitment to integration and against nationalism and racism across the Balkans at youth football – in the stadiums, in coaching and sport education – and also in the media
networking and exchange of good practice in the Balkans by partners in youth football
to raise awareness of the need for pro-active measures against racims and nationalism in football stadiums across the Balkans
to promote cooperation between the various sport institutions across the countries of the Balkans
Contact
Selma Kustura
FairPlay. Viele Farben. Ein Spiel.
Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation
Möllwaldplatz 5/3
A-1040 Vienna, Austria
Email: baap[at]vidc.org
Tel: +43 -1-713 35 94-89
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