A Cultural Case: Sports -Sports Heritage and Intercultural Learning Highlighted on the Third Day of the Project

The third day of the “A Cultural Case: Sports” Erasmus+ Mobility of Youth Workers project (Reference Number: 2025-1-AT01-KA153-YOU-000299955),.

In parallel with the project’s sustainability objectives, participants continued the Environmental Awareness Study coordinated by the Dutch team. Working in groups, they collected recyclable materials around the accommodation venue to be used in the creation of environmentally friendly objects that will be presented on the final day of the project. This hands-on activity not only contributed to environmental cleanliness but also encouraged participants to develop practical awareness of recycling, waste management, and sustainable living. Through active participation, the groups continued preparing their creative projects while reinforcing the importance of environmental responsibility within youth work activities.

The educational focus of the day centered on Dutch culture and its connection with sport. Through a symposium and presentation session organized by the Dutch team, participants learned about the social and cultural significance of traditional Dutch sports and explored how sporting practices reflect national identity and cultural values. Following this introduction, participants were introduced to Korfball, a traditional Dutch sport that originated in the Netherlands and has become one of the country's most distinctive sporting traditions. After learning the rules, history, and mixed-gender nature of the game, participants practiced Korfball together, gaining first-hand experience of a sport that reflects cooperation, equality, and teamwork. The activity combined theoretical learning with practical application, allowing participants to better understand how sports can preserve and transmit cultural heritage across generations.

The programme continued with another well-known Dutch sporting activity, Speed Skating, one of the most iconic sports in the Netherlands. Through an interactive presentation, participants explored the history, achievements, and cultural importance of speed skating in Dutch society. They then took part in adapted non-formal activities inspired by speed skating techniques and teamwork challenges, encouraging cooperation, communication, and strategic thinking skills. After the practical session, participants engaged in structured discussions reflecting on how speed skating represents Dutch cultural values such as perseverance, discipline, and community spirit. Through group work, dialogue, and intercultural exchange, the activity demonstrated how traditional and nationally significant sports can foster social interaction and create opportunities for meaningful learning experiences beyond physical activity alone.

The day concluded with a vibrant Culture Festival, where participants presented traditional foods, dances, music, and cultural elements from their respective countries. The festival provided an open space for intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and the celebration of diversity, allowing participants to learn directly from one another’s traditions and experiences. At the end of the programme, the daily “Emoji Dartboard” evaluation session gave participants the opportunity to share feedback and reflect on the day’s activities. Combining Dutch sports, environmental awareness, cultural exchange, and non-formal learning methods, the third day successfully strengthened the project's mission of using sport as a bridge between cultures and as a tool for international cooperation and youth development.