The round table discussion, held on 12 November as part of the Moving People – Moving Europe conference in Ljubljana's City Hall, provided a deep dive into the transformative potential of sport and community-based initiatives like Icehearts. Facilitated by Nico Lorenzutti from UCC Ireland, the session united experts and practitioners to share insights, challenges, and successes in using sport to support vulnerable children across Europe.

The discussion began with Dr Fiona Chambers of UCC Ireland introducing the Icehearts Europe Model and project. "What’s gorgeous about this project is the expertise wrapped around the pilot organisations," said Dr Chambers. Commenting on building capacities as one of the key objectives, she emphasised the importance of creating sustainable systems to support children and the mentors who guide them. “You can’t go into a project with vulnerable children and not be sustainable,” she said, likening the approach to the oxygen mask principle: “You have to support the mentors so that they can become a resilient network on their own.”

Representing the Finnish model of Icehearts, Nelli Niemelä and Kai Tarvainen provided an overview of its origins and key principles. They highlighted the long-term support and stable, trust-based relationships that are at the heart of the program, which was founded by Finnish coach Ville Turkka. Despite initial challenges, including years of unstable funding, Turkka’s belief in his vision never wavered. “Did you know that the first sports gear was donated by an ice hockey charity?” Nelli shared, adding that the program’s strong branding, such as uniforms proudly worn by participants, has become integral to its identity. “Some people are so committed to the cause, they’ve even gotten Icehearts tattoos!” Nico added with a smile.

The session transitioned into a vibrant debate, where participants reflected on the challenges and learnings from implementing Icehearts-like models in different countries. Mogens Kirkeby, ISCA President, brought a compelling perspective on communication and advocacy. Using a child’s plush toy as an example, he demonstrated how even the simplest objects can spark meaningful conversations. “It’s all about connecting,” he explained. “You have to feel it. The receiver of the message is more important than you. Sometimes we focus on saying exactly what we want to say, but it’s about what the other person needs to hear.”

When asked how to engage decision-makers and advocates, Mogens shared practical advice: “For politicians, just one or two compelling numbers they can’t ignore work better than an elaborate speech. It’s about making the impact immediate and relatable.” Nelli reflected on her own journey with Icehearts, admitting, “I wish I’d known earlier how good the model really is. Even when things don’t go ideally, the kids are still thankful—failures matter too.”

The invited Slovenian experts Tina Jeromen, Pascale Emily Pečnik, and Ajda Bezenšek brought additional depth to the discussion, sharing their experiences in leading activities for vulnerable groups. Tina, representing the Swim to Live initiative, explained how water sports can build confidence and essential life skills. Meanwhile, Pascale and Ajda, from the Day Center for Children and Youth Eksena, emphasised the importance of holistic approaches to child development and highlighted interventions which have been critical in supporting the children they work with. An engaging Q&A session took place after their presentations; when asked about the difference between a mentor and a coach, Tina replied: “A mentor builds a long-term relationship based on trust and guidance, while a coach focuses more on specific skills. Both roles are crucial, but mentoring goes beyond the activity itself.”

The day concluded with a visit to the Centre for Social Work in Ljubljana, an organisation that has been active for over 13 years. Serving youth aged 16 to 22, the center functions like an NGO, relying on grants and co-funding from the municipality. “Most of the youngsters who visit us come on their own,” a representative noted, underscoring the importance of creating a welcoming and supportive environment. “Sport is a universal language, and we’re trying to offer a diverse range of activities to engage them.” Collaborative partnerships, such as those with community gardens and museums, were also showcased as examples of creative ways to foster inclusion and build resilience. Working with mentors, both in groups and individually, the center has developed tools to address stigma and empower young people through workshops and skill-building activities.

The round table discussion exemplified the value of international collaboration, offering a wealth of insights for organisations striving to support vulnerable children through sport. As Nelli aptly put it, “Even when things seem impossible, they usually aren’t—if you work together, people do want to help.”

Find out more about the Icehearts Europe project at the official website https://www.icehearts.eu/

Full project partners: ISCA, Icehearts (Finland), EuroHealthNet (Belgium), Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) (Finland), University of Cassino and Southern Lazio (UNICAS) (Italy), University College of Cork (Ireland), the Italian Institute of Public Health (ISS) (Italy), DGI (Denmark), SPIN (Estonia), Fútbol Más Espana (Spain), UISP (Italy) and Sports Union of Slovenia.  

Associated partners: UFOLEP (France), V4Sport (Poland), BG Be Active (Bulgaria), Deutscher Turner-Bund/Deutscher Turner-Jugend (Germany), SOKOL (Czech Republic), Health Life Academy (Croatia), Latvian Sports Federation Council (Latvia), NEMUNAS (Lithuania), MOVE Malta, Association Sport for all Suceava (Romania), Hungarian School Sport Federation, BVLO (Belgium), Social Innovation Sports (Portugal) and University of Seville (Spain). 

Disclaimers: The materials herein have been produced or are used as a part of an independent partnership Icehearts Europe and should therefore not be viewed as official materials or views of the Finnish organisation Icehearts ry.

"Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor HADEA can be held responsible for them."