Swimming Classes on Lesvos (Greece)

A warm afternoon in Berlin. Children stand barefoot on the grass of a sports field, others balance over hurdles, laughing and calling out to one another. For a moment, everything feels light. No paperwork, no waiting, no uncertainty. Just movement and a lots of fun. This is exactly where our project Sport for Refugees begins. Many people with lived experience of displacement spend months – sometimes years – in a state of constant tension. Children and young people, in particular, often carry this uncertainty quietly within themselves. Our approach is deliberately simple yet highly effective: we create safe, low-threshold spaces for movement where people already are – in accommodation centres, social spaces and neighbourhoods. In this way, sport becomes a gateway: to health, to self-confidence and to human connection. This project was designed and implemented by Butterfly by Yusra Mardini e.V. , the Germany-based non-profit organisation working at the intersection of sport, education and inclusion. The Yusra Mardini Foundation (YMF) supported the project as a strategic and funding partner, sharing a common vision of using sport as a tool to strengthen the wellbeing, resilience and inclusion of people with lived experience of displacement. This collaboration reflects the close alignment between both organisations and their shared commitment to creating safe, empowering spaces through sport. Over the course of the project, we delivered 79 training sessions totalling 166 training hours across Berlin. 229 children, young people and adults took part – many of them on a regular basis. In total, more than 1,000 participations were recorded. These figures do not stand for performance, but for reliability: offers that took place week after week and were consistently embraced. The sessions were held at six locations across Berlin . Our team consisted of five coaches with their own refugee background , supported by an additional coach. This diversity of perspectives was crucial: it fostered trust, role models and interaction on equal footing. In terms of content, we consciously focused on variety – ranging from football and running to mindfulness sessions, experiential education, indoor surfing and diverse children’s sports. Not every session needed to be loud, not every one performance-driven. What mattered was that everyone could find their place. A particular highlight were two Sports Festivals for Equality in Berlin-Pankow and Berlin-Tempelhof. More than 500 visitors came together – families, children, neighbours and social workers. Sport became a space for encounter within the local community. Differences faded into the background, while shared experiences took centre stage. At the same time, we invested deliberately in quality: 25 coaches participated in the Sport Coach+ Course, a specialised training programme developed in partnership with the Olympic Refuge Foundation and the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. The focus lay on trauma-sensitive coaching, mental health and safe sporting environments. Because impact does not happen by chance – it requires values, knowledge and reflection. Feedback from accommodation centres and parents was clear: the children appeared more balanced, more confident and more active. The programme was needed – and genuinely welcomed. At the same time, challenges also became evident: sustainable pathways into organised club sport remain complex and require time, resources and flexible structures. Our conclusion is nevertheless clear: sport can do more than move bodies. It can stabilise, connect and open up perspectives. This project has shown what is possible when programmes are low-threshold, needs-based and value-driven. This is what we build on – together with strong partners and the conviction that truly arriving always requires space.  The project was made possible through funding from the German Postcode Lottery , which supports social initiatives that promote equal opportunities. We also received additional support from ORIS , whose commitment helped ensure the quality and reliability of the programme. These partnerships were a key factor in turning an idea into lived practice.

On July 25, the annual Swim for Good event took place on Lesvos! The Team of our partner Yoga and Sport with Refugees organized an amazing swim with around 50 people in attendance including swimmers, lifeguards, medical staff, volunteers and locals. This year the sea was kind, with incredible conditions throughout the day for swimming. We finished our 12km in record time and spent the day recording interviews, teaching new swimmers, interacting with locals and splashing around! Swim for Good is an annual 12km relay swim, to raise awareness for those who cross the Aegean and wider Mediterranean Seas every year, hoping for a better future. The crossing brings loss and trauma, and Swim for Good is both a way to spread awareness and a way for the displaced peoples on Lesvos and across the world to engage with water in a more healthy and positive way.

Sometimes, encounters transcend borders and leave a lasting mark. Our collaboration with Welcome 66 in Perpignan, southern France , was one of those special experiences — a project filled with energy, empathy, and dedication, showing how sport and education can bring people together. Over many months, refugees and exiled individuals had new access to movement, community, and self-confidence. Despite the inevitable challenges that come with any social project, we succeeded in creating something lasting — a place of connection, learning, and belonging. Through this partnership, around 400 people were able to take part in various activities — more than 300 of them in sports programs. These numbers tell an inspiring story: • 38 swimming lessons opened the door to a new experience — learning to move safely and freely in the water. For many, it was the very first time they had the chance to swim, supported by a team that believed in them. • 19+ hikes led participants through the beautiful landscapes around Perpignan. These outings were more than physical activities — they were moments of calm, connection, and freedom. • 13 football matches brought together people from different backgrounds, united by the joy of the game, teamwork, and shared laughter. But Welcome 66 ’s work went far beyond sports. Regular language cafés and computer courses offered valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and navigate daily life with greater confidence. One of the most touching aspects was the progress made in the swimming lessons. Each participant received their own equipment — swimsuit, towel, and goggles — and with every session, not only their swimming skills but also their confidence grew. Today, we look back with great pride on this shared journey. Our project with Welcome 66 has come to a close, but its impact remains tangible. The experiences, the smiles, and the friendships that were formed are all part of a movement that reaches far beyond Perpignan. We thank Welcome 66 from the bottom of our hearts for their dedication, their courage, and their unwavering commitment. This collaboration has shown what is possible when people stand together and believe in hope. Together, we achieved more than numbers can express — we shared hope. Support that Makes a Difference This project was made possible through the collective strength of many partners. Yusra Mardini Foundation supported Welcome 66 with professional expertise in the fields of sports and integration, as well as with targeted funding that made the wide range of activities possible. A special thank-you goes to our partner Oris , whose engagement and trust played a key role in turning this vision into reality. Together, we were able to create opportunities that will last.

The Yusra Mardini Foundation supports the Welcome 66 swimming project in Perpignan. This project provides displaced people with swimming courses led by experienced coaches. In summer, the courses take place in the Mediterranean and in winter they are held in an indoor swimming pool. The swimming courses not only provide the participants with valuable life skills, but also boost their self-confidence and their physical and mental health. Training together creates social bonds and a sense of community, which makes integration easier. Swimming also provides a welcome distraction from the often difficult everyday life and promotes mental well-being. Our financial and strategic support of Welcome 66 helps to implement this program as well as other initiatives such as language courses, sports and cultural activities and vocational training. Our strategic partnership with Welcome 66 aims to bring about sustainable change through sport and education. The project is promoted together with our partner Oris to create hope and opportunities and shape a better future. Partners: WELCOME 66 Welcome 66 is a non-profit organization based in Perpignan that is dedicated to the social integration and professional integration of unaccompanied minors, asylum seekers and refugees. Through a variety of programs, including language courses, sporting and cultural activities and vocational training, Welcome 66 helps participants to find their feet in their new environment and lead a self-determined life. The organization promotes intercultural exchange and creates a supportive environment that strengthens social cohesion ORIS Oris is a renowned Swiss watch brand that is characterized by its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. As a climate-neutral company, Oris supports numerous charitable initiatives worldwide. In 2023, Yusra Mardini was appointed Oris Ambassador and together with the Yusra Mardini Foundation, we are working to make a positive difference. Our strategic partnership with Oris aims to create hope and opportunity through joint projects such as the swimming project in Perpignan. Oris shares our vision of a better future and supports us in achieving sustainable change through sport and education.