Social integration through the “common language” of football
Refugees and asylum seekers in Austria face challenges integrating into society through restrained access to employability, compounded by language and cultural barriers. Close to 11% of people between the ages of 15 and 24 are classified as neither in education or employment.
Kicken Ohne Grenzen (KoG) emphasizes the role of the “common language” of football in closing communication gaps between communities to facilitate integration. The organisation offers open football programming for young people from disadvantaged communities, allowing them to participate in free training programmes and gain cultural familiarity through an informal environment. KoG leads weekly training sessions for children and young adults with a refugee background, incorporating educational programmes and promoting life skills to enable participants to take control over their lives in an unfamiliar environment, as well as providing job training.