The game is changing. And it’s not just about who wins or loses anymore.

If you work with young people in sports, you’ve probably noticed something: today’s youth care deeply about the planet. They’re asking tough questions about climate change, demanding action from leaders, and refusing to accept “business as usual.” And guess what? They’re absolutely right to do so.

But here’s what many youth workers and sports organizations are just starting to realize: sport and sustainability aren’t separate issues. They’re two sides of the same coin.

The reality check – Sport’s environmental impact

Let’s be real for a second. Sports—especially organized youth sports—leave a significant environmental footprint:

• Travel emissions –  Teams driving or flying to tournaments and matches
• Equipment waste –  Outgrown uniforms, worn-out balls, damaged gear ending up in landfills
• Single-use plastics –Water bottles, snack wrappers, and disposable items at every practice and game
• Energy consumption – Lighting up fields and heating/cooling sports facilities
• Water usage –  Maintaining grass fields and sports facilities in water-scarce areas

A single youth sports tournament can generate hundreds of kilograms of waste in just one weekend. Multiply that across thousands of events globally, and you start to see the scale of the problem.

Why youth sports is the PERFECT place for environmental education

This is where it gets exciting.

Sport isn’t just part of the problem—it’s potentially the most powerful solution we have for environmental education. Here’s why:

1. Sport speaks everyone’s language

Unlike classroom lectures, sport is universal. It crosses cultural, social, and economic boundaries. Whether a young person plays football in Cyprus, basketball in Malta, or runs in Portugal, they share a common passion. When you connect environmental lessons to something they already love, learning becomes natural, not forced.

2. Sport teaches through action, not just words

Young people don’t just want to hear about climate change—they want to DO something about it. Sport provides the perfect framework for action-based learning. When youth collect waste after a match, organize a car-sharing system for team travel, or start a gear-swap program, they’re not just learning about sustainability—they’re living it.

3. Athletes are influencers

Let’s face it – young people listen to athletes more than they listen to politicians or even teachers sometimes. When their sports heroes or team captains champion environmental causes, it resonates. Youth sports creates natural peer leadership opportunities where young activists can inspire their teammates and communities.

4. Sport builds the skills climate action needs

Think about what sport teaches –  teamwork, perseverance, goal-setting, strategic thinking, resilience. These are exactly the skills we need to tackle climate change. Youth who learn to work together on a sports team are better equipped to collaborate on environmental initiatives.

Enter S.T.E.L.L.A: turning theory into practice

This is exactly why S.T.E.L.L.A (Sport as a Tool for Environmental Sustainability Learning) exists.

Running from March 2024 to February 2026, S.T.E.L.L.A is an Erasmus+ KA220 Cooperation partnership that’s doing something revolutionary: systematically using sport as a vehicle for environmental education and climate action among young people.

The S.T.E.L.L.A Approach

Coordinated by Associazione TDM 2000 (Italy) and bringing together SYAJ – Associacao Juvenil Synergia (Portugal), EKO Greece-Entrepreneurship and Social Economy Group (Greece), Active Zone Outdoor (Cyprus), and TDM 2000 Malta (Malta), this partnership represents a Mediterranean coalition committed to one goal: empowering youth to become environmental champions through sport.

What makes S.T.E.L.L.A different?

It’s not just about telling young people climate change is bad. It’s about:

• Providing concrete tools that youth workers and young activists can actually use
• Creating sport-based activities that teach sustainable behaviors naturally
• Building capacity in youth organizations to integrate sustainability into their sports programs
• Fostering active citizenship where young people don’t just participate—they lead
• Promoting youth entrepreneurship including social entrepreneurship focused on environmental solutions

The project recognizes that young people aren’t passive recipients of education—they’re active agents of change. Give them the right tools, the right framework, and the right support, and they’ll transform their communities.

Why this matters NOW for youth workers

If you work with young people in sports, you’re sitting on a goldmine of opportunity. Here’s why sustainability in youth sports should be on your radar:

1. Young people are demanding it

Gen Z is the most environmentally conscious generation in history. They expect the organizations they’re part of to align with their values. Youth sports programs that ignore sustainability risk becoming irrelevant.

2. It develops future leaders

When young people learn to tackle environmental challenges through sport, they develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills that serve them far beyond the playing field. You’re not just coaching athletes—you’re nurturing the civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers of tomorrow.

3. It creates community mpact

Youth sports programs that embrace sustainability don’t just change individual behavior—they influence families, schools, and entire communities. Young people bring environmental consciousness home, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond your sports club.

4. It makes sports better

Sustainable practices often save money (less waste = lower costs), improve health (active transportation, outdoor activities), and strengthen team bonds (collaborative environmental projects). It’s not a sacrifice—it’s an upgrade.

5. It prepares youth for reality

Climate change isn’t going away. The young people you work with will face environmental challenges throughout their lives. Teaching them to address sustainability through sport gives them confidence, competence, and hope—the belief that they can make a difference.

 

Practical steps -What youth workers can do today

Ready to integrate sustainability into your youth sports program? Here are actionable starting points:

Start Small:

• Eliminate single-use plastics at practices (reusable water bottles only)
• Create a gear-sharing or donation program for outgrown equipment
• Organize team clean-up events at local parks or beaches
• Calculate your team’s carbon footprint from travel and discuss reduction strategies

Think Medium:

• Partner with local environmental organizations
• Incorporate environmental themes into team-building activities
• Create youth-led sustainability committees within your sports club
• Organize tournaments or events with zero-waste goals

Go Big:

• Develop comprehensive sustainability policies for your organization
• Apply for funding (like Erasmus+ projects) to scale your initiatives
• Connect with networks like S.T.E.L.L.A to share best practices
• Empower young people to design and lead environmental projects

The key? Let young people drive the process. They have the passion, creativity, and investment in the future. Your role is to provide structure, support, and opportunities.

The bottom line

Sport and sustainability aren’t optional extras in youth work—they’re fundamental to preparing young people for the world they’re inheriting.

When we teach environmental values through sport, we’re not just reducing carbon emissions or cutting waste. We’re showing young people that:

• Their actions matter
• They have agency to create change
• Collaboration can solve complex problems
• Passion can be channeled into purpose

Get Involved

Stella

Interested in learning more about S.T.E.L.L.A and how your youth sports organization can integrate sustainability?

Connect with the S.T.E.L.L.A partnership:

• Associazione TDM 2000 (Italy) – Project Coordinator
• SYAJ – Associacao Juvenil Synergia (Portugal)
• EKO Greece-Entrepreneurship and Social Economy Group (Greece)
• Active Zone Outdoor (Cyprus)
• TDM 2000 Malta (Malta)

Together, we’re not just playing games—we’re changing them.