A new Danish pilot of the Icehearts Europe model, aimed at empowering vulnerable children, has started in 2024 and will continue into 2025. Carried out in collaboration with the Danish Gymnastics and Sports Associations (DGI), the project is based at two schools in Ballerup, a Greater Copenhagen area characterised by its public housing projects and low income households. This initiative will focus on the promotion of mental health through sports and social interaction in 6 to 8 year olds.

Using the Icehearts principles, two types of mentors will be involved – Key Mentors and Social Club Mentors. Two Key Mentors employed by local municipalities in a social role will oversee the project’s implementation. They will be familiar with the challenges faced by young people in public housing projects, and will therefore play an important role in bringing together all stakeholders. The Key Mentors will work closely with families and the children themselves, providing guidance and ensuring that participants are included in a sports community of their own choice. Key Mentors will be employed for approximately 20 hours each week and will be present during activities both in and out of school hours.

The project’s Sports Club Mentors will mainly be volunteers and coaches based at the participating sports clubs. Their tasks will include selecting participants for the program, providing guidance to participants and their parents and arranging social support if necessary. Strong focus will be placed on physical literacy, ensuring that all children successfully participate in activities and integrate into the club communities

All mentors will be qualified in the major focus areas of the project. They will have educational training or work experience, knowledge about how sports communities are organised, experience in organising sports or games for children, and the social skills needed to build trust. An evaluation process will be ongoing throughout the project’s duration so adjustments can be made if needed.

The planning phase was due to end in June 2024, with the Key Mentors hired and trained along with eight sports club mentors. The nine-month pilot will begin in or around August 2024. The initial implementation phase to December 2024 will see 100 children recruited at 8 sports clubs. In 2025 400 children will join the program and 16 new Sports Club Mentors will be recruited and trained.

Read DGI's story on the Icehearts Europe pilot in Ballerup here.

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