SIMS Project Partners meet in Madrid, Spain

The SIMS project is moving smoothly.

As the SIMS project round-up for this year and in preparation for next year, the second physical meeting of 2024 was hosted in Madrid, Spain, by Project Partner España se Mueve (Spain) on 27 and 28 November. The meeting involved a review of updates from all work packages, especially as the experimental stage has just started, and each project partner engages different media entities. Every project partner shared the progress they have made in communicating with different media entities, the feedback received and how to prepare for the certification process. 

The meeting was an avenue to discuss key milestones in the experimental phase of the project, which is set to conclude by early next year. During this phase, selected media entities will carry out two primary actions aimed at advancing inclusive sports initiatives.

Firstly, tailored training modules have been created for media professionals, focusing on the principles of inclusive sports journalism. These modules are designed to provide practical guidance on fostering inclusive narratives and breaking down barriers in sports reporting. Selected media entities and professionals will have to study these modules to better understand how to tailor their reports and communication to be more inclusive.

Secondly, the certification process for the Seal of Inclusion. This seal, awarded at three levels—gold, silver, and bronze—recognizes media entities based on their engagement with inclusive sports. To qualify, entities must complete a series of questionnaires that assess their contributions to promoting inclusive sport. Alongside the certification, an online training program has been developed, tailored to the specific requirements of each level. Beyond certification, the training equips participants with enhanced knowledge to elevate media from passive communicators to active champions of inclusion and equal opportunity through sport.

The objectives of this experimental phase are to test the certification process, refine the training materials, and gather valuable feedback from media participants. The insights gained during this phase will shape the final version of the certification and training programs, ensuring they are effective in promoting inclusive sport and media practices.

The meeting was productive, and the project partners were positive about the progress made so far in the project. If you are a media organisation or professional interested in this process (seal of inclusion and training modules), please reach out to us at info@tafisa.org.

BACKGROUND

The SIMS initiative is a 30-month project funded by the European Union, focusing on promoting social inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities through sports via dissemination and communication strategies. A significant part of this project involves the creation of a European seal designed to honour media outlets reporting on social inclusion and equal opportunities within the sports landscape, particularly those actively championing this cause. The project is led by Instituto España se Mueve (Spain) with a consortium of partners, including ENAIP (Italy), AIPS (Switzerland), EASPD (Belgium), and TAFISA (Germany).