UNHCR and the Football Association of BiH organized a two-day workshop in Međugorje as part of the project of social integration through football, with the aim of promoting mutual respect, tolerance and social inclusion through sports

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Football Association of BiH (NS/FSBiH), as part of joint activities supported by UEFA, on 20 and 21 September organized a two-day workshop in Medjugorje as part of the project "Social integration through football: Football3 as a method of social change", with the aim of promoting mutual respect, tolerance and inclusion through sports, transforming the football field into a space where life lessons are learned and bridges of understanding are built among young people from different social groups.

During the two-day workshops, activities related to the so-called Football3 method, including education for coaches of children's football clubs and physical education teachers from primary schools, education for children's parents, guardians and other persons who work with children, as well as workshops and sports activities with 80 children from local football clubs, local communities, Children's Home "Mostar", refugee children from the Salakovac Refugee Reception Center and Ukrainian refugee children attending the Primary School in Čapljina.

On the first day of this event, participants, coaches and teachers were introduced to the Football3 methodology, while the second day was dedicated to working with children, including practical exercises on the fields of the Sports Center of Međugorje. A workshop was also held for parents and guardians on the importance of sports in the social development of children, where the BH Women's Initiative Foundation presented the topic "The importance and influence of sports on the healthy growth and development of children". The focus of the lecture was on understanding how practicing sports contributes to the physical, emotional and social development of children, on the role of parents and coaches in that process, and on overcoming obstacles that arise in sports activities for children and parents. Experts emphasized the psychological benefits of sports and its key role in building the character of children, as well as the importance of inclusion in sports activities.

The workshop in Međugorje is the third in a series of similar events that the NS/FS BiH and the UNHCR Representation in BiH have jointly organized in Bihac and Sarajevo.