RESULTS

Fairplay Football Roadshow

The Fairplay Football Roadshow is a tournament series which the Second Chance Sports Association has been organised since 2012 in Hungary and sometimes the neighbourhood countries.

In 2025 we are taking the familiar Fairplay ethos countryside, embedded in the values of sustainability.

Our method is based on the football3 rules system. There is no referee, no whistle, players play the football games based on decisions they have made together, and then self-reflect to conclude the 3-half game with the help of trained mediators.With matches played according to a special set of rules, our aim is to create a positive dialogue in everyday life between social groups that rarely or never cooperate with each other. The participants shape the course of the game, based on rules they have decided on together, taking joint responsibility. Our ambition is that the participants in the tournament will experience the power of football to integrate different groups, transcend social difficulties and reduce prejudice. In this spirit, the opportunity to participate in the roadshow is open to anyone, regardless of gender, age, country of origin and football knowledge. A set of rules ensures that everyone can kick the ball around, make their voice heard and stand up for themselves in their own interests. The methodology developed helps communication and listening to each other, while the joy of play and movement is the focus of the activity.

Practical activities

We strive to raise environmental awareness among participants at each stage of the event. To this end, with the help of the MONSTER project ambassadors, we have put together some methods and activities that help us to do this in the events. In the Pilot event in Budapest we tried these activities during a Fairplay tournament, and added sports activities (Basketball, table tennis, gym, beach golf) which was organised next to the football matches.

Together with the participants, we took a picture. Everyone drew the back of their hand on a piece of paper as if it were the leaves of a tree and described what they liked about nature.

We have placed nature protection related messages on the pavement next to the park to raise awareness of the importance of and opportunities for environmental protection.

The tournament series goes on for the whole year, we have already had 5 Fairplay Football Roadshows includes the Pilot event and in the countryside and we plan to take the method to 6 more destinations.

In the Pilot program in Budapest there were 5 teams from different backgrounds, different countries, different ages, different genders, and different sports knowledge. The aim was to find common interests and similarities, to shape the games ourselves, to give each other feedback, to develop social and communication skills in an enjoyable framework.

Through intense play, we learn that we are part of our environment, responsible for our environment and shaping it.  We also delivered some important messages on environmental awareness through sport.

During the preparation period, and the day of the main event we also took part in another big program. It was a community construction, which was implemented by the local organisations, and  took about 3 weeks, and was finished that afternoon. After our tournament the participants took part in the open ceremony of the “Mindentbelehely” building, too.

The experiences of the Budapest event were transferred to the rural events, so we could compare the differences and similarities between rural and urban residents’ awareness of environmental protection and sustainability. All together we involve 186 players, and about 100 visitors into our program in the 5 Roadshows.

Ambassadors’ Insights

Farouk from Germany:

I had the opportunity to take part in the MONSTER pilot event in Budapest, which included football and various other sports activities. The event focused on fair play and inclusion. Everyone was welcome to join, and before each match, participants created their own rules together. Everything went very smoothly and harmoniously. I learned a lot about cooperation, mutual respect, and how inclusive sports can strengthen a sense of community. It was a truly inspiring and positive experience. I really appreciated the hospitality, and the organization Second Chance Sports Association made sure we left with great memories of the event.

Diogo from Portugal:

First I want to thank you so much for the opportunity to attend the event and also participate. It was a pleasure I felt at home. You are an amazing host and so organized. The event was so fun and I think if you continue with this spirit and friendship you can reach even bigger things . Your association and everything you do around that and help people promote sports practice FairPlay is simply amazing. I hope the best for the future and anything you need it’s a pleasure to help!

Arianna from Italy:

The day spent with the kids from Second Chance was incredibly enriching. Their enthusiasm and passion in every activity, from football to other sports like beach golf and basketball, were contagious. It was really nice to see how children from difficult backgrounds find common ground and an opportunity for growth in sports. The bodyweight training, energetically led by Andres, further highlighted the dedication of the coaches and social workers. Overall, the atmosphere was positive and full of vitality, leaving me with a deep sense of hope and admiration for the work that Second Chance does.

Daniele from Italy:

Regarding my feedback, it is entirely positive. What you do and the simplicity with which you do it is truly wonderful. I was genuinely impressed by how little it takes to help children and young people learn, through football, how to interact within a civil society, discuss respectfully, and uphold principles of brotherhood. Without a doubt, the highlight was the tournament at the park, where I personally had the chance to speak with guys just a bit younger than myself and from completely different backgrounds. Yet, we discovered that we share not only a passion for football but also many other things. It’s inspiring to see how, even coming from very different contexts, in many ways we remain fundamentally human. Thank you so much for your hospitality; you truly made me feel at home.

Siya from South Africa

As an ambassador for the Monster Pilot project, I was proud to be part of an event that combined sustainability with the unifying power of sports. I supported the event by helping out with the logistics alongside other ambassadors, which created a strong sense of teamwork and purpose. I especially enjoyed playing football and other sports with people of all ages. It was a fun and inclusive experience that brought everyone together. A highlight was the unveiling of a structure built from recycled materials for community use, and seeing how excited everyone was to use it made the effort worthwhile. Spending time with the other ambassadors and contributing to such a positive and meaningful initiative made the day truly memorable.

Workshop on Sustainability in Sports

In the framework of the MONSTER project, we held a workshop with expert presentations on the intersection of sport and sustainability. Among the speakers we welcomed the Chief of Staff of the Hungarian Olympic Committee, the trustee of the Fortissimo Together for Sporting Youth Foundation, a PHD student in Environmental Chemistry at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of ELTE, who represented the project as one of its ambassadors, and an excellent Social Worker from our Association.

In addition to the renowned speakers, the ranks of the participants were reinforced by experts from the Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sports Sciences and the Hungarian Handball Federation.

The discussions reinforced our belief that awareness starts on the court – and continues in our everyday lives.

Plogging: Merging Fitness with Environmental Responsibility

A central feature of MONSTER’s involvement was the promotion of plogging—an activity that combines jogging with litter collection. Ambassadors organized a plogging event along a 2-kilometer route, during which participants collected 3.5 kilograms of trash, demonstrating the tangible environmental benefits of integrating sustainability into physical activity.

Educational Outreach and Community Engagement

In addition to the plogging event, MONSTER ambassadors established a booth at the Prevention and Health Village, offering educational materials and engaging videos to raise awareness about sustainability in sports. They also conducted a sustainability survey, gathering 257 responses that highlighted the community’s commitment to eco-friendly practices within athletic events.

Conferences on Sustainability in Sports

MONSTER organized two conferences addressing key topics:

• “Sustainability is a Team Sport,” focusing on collaborative approaches to reducing the environmental impact of sporting events.
• “Movement in Daily Commuting: The Social and Economic Benefits of Active Mobility,” exploring how active transportation contributes to societal and economic well-being.

These sessions facilitated meaningful discussions and encouraged participants to consider sustainable practices in their daily routines.

Ambassadors’ Insights

Participants praised the initiative for effectively combining physical activity with environmental stewardship. One ambassador noted the rewarding experience of engaging the community in sustainability efforts through sport.

Conclusion

The MONSTER pilot in Italy exemplified how integrating sustainability into sporting events can foster environmental awareness and action. This initiative serves as a model for future efforts across Europe, demonstrating that small, collective actions can lead to significant positive change.