DEVELOPING SPORTS ACTIVITIES WITHIN TRAINING PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT THE INTEGRATION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS
The report presents findings of the work package 2 from the POP-UP project, which aims to integrate sports and physical activities into training programs supporting the social and professional inclusion of vulnerable adults, particularly unemployed individuals and people with disabilities. Conducted across six European countries, the study involved interviews and sporting activities to assess how structured physical engagement can contribute to personal growth, skill development, and mental well-being in these groups.
The research revealed that while both target groups recognize the benefits of physical activity, participation is often limited by barriers such as health issues, low motivation, financial constraints, or lack of access and infrastructure. For people with disabilities, logistical support and inclusive facilities are especially critical. Despite these obstacles, participants who engaged in sports reported improvements in physical health, self-esteem, and social connectedness. They also developed transferable skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership.
Professionals working with these groups emphasized the transformative potential of sport not just for fitness, but also for building resilience, discipline, and confidence. The report concludes with recommendations to adapt sporting activities to individual needs, improve access and resources, create inclusive and supportive environments, and offer multisectoral and professional support, ensuring long-term, meaningful impact.
Development of a tool for observing and valuing acquired cross-disciplinary skills
Development of a tool that enables a person to be quickly and visually positioned at the Sports & Health level, based on frequency, intensity, and knowledge/experience of sporting activities, on entry to a training or integration program. Used at several points in the support process, the tool enables us to perceive an evolution, with a starting point, an objective, an endpoint, and the motivating idea of progress. This tool will be used on a voluntary basis, and will not be intrusive or stigmatizing, but will be geared exclusively to enhancing the value of gestures. supporting daily physical activity and motivation to pursue a personal challenge.
Development of a Sport & Health positioning tool for vulnerable adults
Creation of a pedagogical animation and positioning tool to develop, observe and formalize these skills. The tool will be concrete and practical for easy implementation, while remaining general and flexible to adapt to a multitude of learning contexts. The tool will have a “Valuing sports skills and abilities”, with a focus on how to integrate these employment skills with other skills (CVs, skills certificates, badges).
Practical guide to activities for educational coordinators, trainers, coaches
Each sheet will include: a presentation of the activity, its level of difficulty, the equipment/infrastructure required, points of attention for its implementation, contacts for finding specific resources, the collective and individual objectives pursued by this activity, examples of fun activities to be carried out with groups to discover this sport, and any other information you may require. groups to discover this sport, and any other other relevant information.