International cooperation

International cooperation refers to projects aimed at improving living conditions in countries in need, in close collaboration with local associations and institutions. These projects are intended to be temporary, promoting new working methods, assisting in the reconstruction and pacification of territories, and promoting the empowerment of local communities.

In this sense, since the 1990s, UISP has carried out a series of interventions in collaboration with other Italian NGOs, using sport as a tool for socialisation, physical well-being, play and normalisation of life for children, promoting dialogue and pacification between ethnic groups, especially in post-conflict areas or in situations of great economic and cultural hardship.

The first initiatives date back to the conflict that devastated the former Yugoslavia, with emergency and solidarity initiatives and subsequently programmes to help populations (especially children) who were victims of physical and psychological trauma. Projects to rebuild sports facilities and physical activities to promote physical wellbeing.

Other projects included the training of sports educators in disadvantaged contexts and refugee camps (such as in Lebanon, Palestine and Saharawi), the improvement of sports skills useful for their work (such as teaching fishermen in Senegal to swim), the construction of multi-purpose sports fields or the sending of basic necessities (as in Lebanon, Albania, Palestine, Somalia and recently in Romania for the reception of Ukrainian refugees).

The country with which UISP has managed to maintain the longest and most fruitful relationship is Lebanon, with which it has continuously carried out initiatives, projects and sporting events since 2005. The interruption due to Covid and the consequences of the Beirut port fire, followed by the difficult conditions caused by the war against the Palestinians in Gaza, lasted until 2025, when many international cooperation projects were able to restart.

All projects are carried out in full compliance with local needs and often thanks to direct relationships with local organisations, Italian NGOs operating in the area and stable relationships with local and Italian authorities. Funding is linked to calls for proposals from the Foreign Ministry, European calls for proposals, fundraising by UISP through 5xmille or during major events.

All missions (especially in at-risk or post-conflict areas) are carried out with maximum safety for the UISP personnel involved.