Icehearts Europe Two Years On: Study Visit in Seville

Two years ago, this group met for the first time to kick off an ambitious project: Icehearts Europe. Inspired by the Finnish Icehearts model, the aim was to provide long-term, community-based mentoring to support vulnerable children across five pilot countries. Back then, the goal was clear, but the path ahead was uncertain.

Fast forward to April 2025, the same partners gathered again in Seville, Spain, hosted by Fútbol Más. The three-day project meeting combined with a study visit (1–3 April) offered a chance to see how the Spanish pilot is being implemented on the ground, share updates from other countries, and start preparing for the project’s closing conference connected to a MOVE Congress in October 2025.

What emerged was not just a progress update, but a moving reminder of what’s been achieved.

One Step at a Time

Back in 2023, many partners admitted they weren’t quite sure how to start. “At the beginning, I was afraid I wasn’t doing enough,” shared Eleonora Dalla Fina from UISP, Italy. “The structure wasn’t clear, and we didn’t know what was expected. But now, looking back, I think we’ve done an amazing job.”

Their activities have grown step by step, shaped by the needs and ideas of the children. “We added activities with families, brought in experts for boxing and yoga classes—all based on what the kids wanted,” she said. “They even requested 3D printing. We said yes. Now they design, measure, and colour their own creations.”

In Estonia, Priit Joe from SPIN, recalled how the first steps were tough. “It was a leap of faith. We didn’t have the mentors, and everything took longer than planned. But we found the right people—and that made all the difference.” Today, Estonia runs 19 active groups in both Estonian and Russian, with amazing mentors described as “giving their full heart” to the work.

Overcoming Surprises and Setbacks

Patrik Perosa from Sports Union of Slovenia spoke honestly about their initial worries. “We thought finding mentors and children would be hard, but that was actually easy. The challenge was infrastructure—getting access to sports facilities was much harder than expected.”

Still, they found creative ways forward. “We’re now doing outdoor activities and planning summer camps. Mentors are already asking what happens next year. That shows the impact—it’s real.”

Meanwhile, in Denmark, Charlotte Bruus Dalsgaard from DGI emphasised the importance of building local networks. “We spent a lot of time connecting departments in the municipality. Everyone—from schools to social services—had different goals, so we had to find a common purpose.”

And then came another surprise: the sports clubs themselves. “We assumed they were ready to go. But many needed support, volunteers, even help understanding their role and the idea that it’s not just about making kids better players—it’s about making them feel welcome and heard.”

(foto. Fútbol Más )

Seville: A Project in Action

The visit to Fútbol Más in Seville gave participants a first-hand look at how mentors in the Spanish pilot use simple games and sports-based activities to support emotional growth and build connections with children during school-based sessions.

A teacher noted: “Students now listen better. They take turns speaking. Some of the most disruptive ones now have someone they trust to talk to.”

One student shared: “I’ve learned to express myself better. I can talk about my feelings, and I feel more confident. The things we learn help me in everyday life.”

From Vision to Sustainability

Since the kick-off meeting, there's been a big shift in how we see the project. The focus is no longer on whether the model works—it does. The real question now is: how do we keep it going?

“We're already thinking about how to continue,” said Patrick Persoa. “We’ll present results to the ministry, seek funding, maybe even aim for presidential support. It’s too good to stop now.”

Priit Joe agreed: “It’s a pity the project is only three years. It took almost two to get going. Now we’re just getting started.”

(foto. Fútbol Más )

So, Look at Us Now

Two years ago, Icehearts Europe was an idea on paper. Today, it’s a growing movement. Children who once felt isolated now belong to something. Mentors have become pillars in their communities. And partners who once felt unsure are leading the way.

As Eleonora Dalla Fina beautifully put it: “To me, Icehearts is a safe place.”

And if we ever doubt that, we only need to look at how far we’ve come.

 

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.