Break the Bully Cycle Has Started: A New European Project Against Bullying in Sport

BREAK THE BULLY CYCLE (BTBC) is a project co-funded by the European Union.

The project Break the Bully Cycle officially kicks off, bringing together four organisations from Italy, Spain and Bulgaria to tackle one of the most urgent issues in youth sport: bullying. Sport can be a powerful driver of inclusion, but it can also become a place where exclusion, intimidation and negative group dynamics emerge. BTBC was created to break this cycle and to promote safer, more inclusive and more educational sport environments for young people.

Why the project was created

Bullying continues to be a widespread problem among young athletes. Many young people experience verbal aggression, exclusion, manipulation or humiliation in sports clubs, often without knowing how to react or who to turn to. At the same time, coaches and sports operators may lack specific tools to recognise early signs, intervene correctly or promote positive team dynamics.

BTBC responds to these challenges with a structured and collaborative approach. The general goal of the project is to prevent and address bullying in sports contexts by empowering young athletes, strengthening the role of coaches and supporting local sports associations.

Concrete objectives of BTBC

The project focuses on three key objectives:

1. Through workshops, simulations and interactive activities—both at local and international level—teenagers will learn to recognise bullying behaviours, understand their impact and acquire strategies to respond safely and responsibly.

2. Sport can teach cooperation, empathy and respect. BTBC aims to reinforce these values by providing young athletes with opportunities to reflect, collaborate and grow within their teams.

3. Coaches are crucial figures in shaping team behaviour. BTBC provides them with a set of practical, ready-to-use tools to manage conflicts, encourage positive communication and build healthy group dynamics.

A strong partnership behind the project

BTBC brings together four organisations with complementary expertise:

• Sparta Calcio (Italy, Coordinator): oversees all project activities and ensures quality and coherence in implementation.

• YMCA Roma (Italy): leads the educational and training components, bringing its experience in non-formal learning and youth development.

• Brainstorming (Spain): responsible for monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment.

• Sportsroom (Bulgaria): supports communication and dissemination, and ensures that the project follows eco-friendly guidelines.

Together, these organisations form a committed, competent and multicultural partnership capable of addressing bullying from different perspectives.

What will happen in the next months

The first months of the project are dedicated to preparation: defining roles, finalising the work plan, organising the online platform, setting deadlines and planning the Kick-Off Meeting. Soon after, partners will start developing the training materials and preparing the first international activities.

Throughout 16 months, BTBC will include:

• one Transnational Meeting

• several Local Meetings in Italy, Spain and Bulgaria

• a complete Safety & Inclusion Training Package

• communication campaigns, workshops and community events

• continuous monitoring and evaluation

All results will be made available as open resources to support sports clubs and youth organisations across Europe.

Follow the project

BTBC will regularly share updates, materials, stories and results on social media and through the official communication channels of each partner.

A safer and more inclusive sport is possible—and this project aims to prove it.