Promoting Youth-Led Change Through Street Soccer: Evaluation of a Participatory Sports-Based Programme for Socially Vulnerable Youth

Research has shown that sports-based programmes are particularly effective in addressing socially vulnerable youth. Few studies, however, have adopted a community psychology perspective to analyse sports-based programmes taking place in public spaces, where the presence of youth is often perceived as problematic. This work illustrates a street outreach, Youth-led participatory action research-oriented programme based on street soccer, aimed at promoting positive development and relationships with the community in a group of socially vulnerable young adults in Northeastern Italy. Data were collected through participant observation, interviews with youth workers and local stakeholders, analysis of local press, and a focus group with the youth involved. Results showed that the programme fostered a sense of acknowledgment and belonging to the community and the place for the participants, and enhanced their personal and interpersonal skills, self-efficacy and responsibility. It also promoted positive interactions with local institutions and the community and reduced the youths' stereotyped representation in public opinion. These outcomes highlight the potential of participatory approaches and the use of public spaces in sports-based programmes for socially vulnerable youth. Implications are provided for designing and implementing similar projects in the future, informed by field research and the perspective of the participants. Please refer to the Supporting Information section to find this article's community and social impact statement.