Yoga and Sport with Refugees

They sought the MedWF’s support for the Lesbos Women Sports Project. After the success of their workshop in Ioannina, they wanted to do the same in Lesvos. The YSR project is aimed at empowering and strengthening women's leadership through sport, in refugee camps in Greece

They sought support from the MedWF for the "Lesvos Women Sports Project". Following the success of their workshop in Ioannina, they wanted to set up the same project in Lesvos. The project was designed to empower women and strengthen their leadership through sport in refugee camps in Greece (mainly around Athens). The grant was used to pay the salary of the project coordinator. 

The objective of this specific project is to continue to provide their community of refugee women with a safe space, not only in the camp of Katsikas, but also in the city of Ioannina and in the camp of Agie Eleni. The idea of launching a special course for women on empowerment and self-defense is also part of this project. The association wants to encourage women to take on leadership roles and become teachers responsible for their own training, developing their skills and gaining confidence. One of the fundamental objectives is to move refugees from being users of sports activities to being trainers in charge of their own projects.

In 2021, the Mediterranean Women's Fund helped fund the "Y'Habibi and Sports" project. This initiative provides space, equipment and facilitation of sports activities, near the camp of Katsikas, in Ioannina. Sport promotes the physical and mental health of women and allows them to feel connected and less isolated. In addition, through sports activities, women can create a space of physical safety for themselves. It is also an opportunity for them to build their own community in a non-space like a refugee camp. 
The project will allow the refugee women in the camp to practice a sport in order to empower them.