About Us
Our vision
S.P.E.A.C.E. – Promoting Peace and Inclusion Through Sports
S.P.E.A.C.E. (Solidarity, Peacebuilding, Empathy, Acceptance, Cooperation, Empowerment) is a youth-led initiative based in Veria, Greece, committed to fostering peacebuilding, social inclusion, and intercultural understanding through community-based sports, with a particular focus on basketball. The project was born out of real and pressing concerns surrounding the rise of violence linked to sports culture in Greece—especially among youth.
Motivated by tragic events and personal experiences of our local community, including the devastating loss of young lives due to fan-based conflicts, S.P.E.A.C.E. represents a collective response: a call to transform pain into purpose and conflict into cooperation. We believe it is time to change the game.
Supported by the European Solidarity Corps, this initiative is designed and implemented by a passionate and committed group of young people who believe in the transformative power of sports. We see basketball not only as a game, but as a platform for dialogue, healing, and meaningful social change.
Our mission is grounded in the belief that young people—when equipped with the right tools, skills, and opportunities—can lead the way in building more peaceful, inclusive communities. Through a diverse range of activities including sports tournaments, life skills workshops, community events, and inclusive dialogue sessions, S.P.E.A.C.E. aims to:
Promote peaceful conflict resolution and cooperation through basketball
Offer training in essential life skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving
Foster empathy, mutual respect, and intercultural understanding among participants
Create safe, supportive, and empowering spaces where all individuals feel welcomed and valued
At its core, S.P.E.A.C.E. seeks to bridge social, cultural, and generational divides through meaningful engagement. We invite everyone—regardless of background—to join us in reimagining sports as a vehicle for growth, connection, and unity.
Let us play not just to win, but to grow, to connect, and to heal.
