“Lifesaving Network Sequel – Heroes Zone”

Erasmus+ Program Kickoff

International, 30.10.2025. The representatives of Serbia (EduSphera), Greece (Greek Lifesaving Sports Association) and Poland (Beniaminek 3), had their kickoff meeting for the Erasmus+ project “Lifesaving Network Sequel-Heroes’ Zone” (ID: 101241832) that aims to educate, engage, and inspire youth on social issues through lifesaving sport.

INTRODUCTION

Young people often care about social issues but don’t get involved. A Eurostat youth survey found that while many are interested, only a small share actually join civic activities or decision-making. Evidence highlights that young people respond better to hands-on, action-oriented participation, and youth-led activities, ideally mixing in-person and online engagement.

DROWNING

Sport is a natural entry point into civic life and engagement. A Special Eurobarometer on youth & democracy reports 58% of young people joined at least one youth organisation in the prior year, with sports clubs the most popular (24%), evidence that sport settings are among the easiest ways to reach youth at scale. Additionally, drowning is still a largely overlooked public-health problem in Europe.

LIFESAVING SPORT

For those reasons, we will turn lifesaving sport into a structured pathway for youth to develop civic skills and lead local water-safety actions, blending practical sport drills with non-formal education and community advocacy. This sport is not only athletic. It is rooted in humanitarian values like responsibility, teamwork, and service, so it is a natural way to teach leadership and community action while addressing water-safety risks.

PROGRAM

The program includes surveys, toolkit, guides, educating, training, raising awareness and creating educational and campaign material for youth and public, advocacy sessions and workshops with sports actors, youth workers, educators, municipalities, national sports federations, NGOs, and policymakers.

PARTNERS

The three organizations were represented in the meeting, by Milan Kreckovic (Serbia), Dr Stathis Avramidis (Greece) and Murat Ozer (Poland).

DISCLAIM

Co-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 EACEA can be held responsible for them.