Football as an educational space, a tool for inclusion and a force against all forms of violence. This was the message brought to the event supported by the Italian Football Federation, “Vite in Gioco. L’educazione come forma di prevenzione” (“Live through Play. Education as a form of prevention”), promoted as part of the ‘Al Bar Sport’ project by the Research Centre for Sustainability, Ethics and Inclusion, in the Department of Legal and Economic Sciences at Unitelma Sapienza University.

During the panel “School and sport in tackling violence and promoting inclusion”, Benedetta Geronzi, FIGC Head of Institutional Affairs, delivered a presentation entitled “The educational role of football: sustainability, education and training in projects promoted by the FIGC”. Her speech outlined the structured approach through which the Federation (the first Italian sports federation to adopt a Social and Environmental Sustainability Strategy in July 2023) has integrated prevention, safeguarding and education into its broader development strategy.

This strategy places people and responsibility at its core, starting with the educational role played by the Youth and School Sector, which involves more than 700,000 U17 athletes and over 830,000 registered young players overall. Through its initiatives, the sector aims to combat all forms of discrimination, prevent bullying and cyberbullying, support the inclusion of young people in vulnerable situations and strengthen a culture of legality and respect.

These efforts are also reflected in inclusion projects such as Rete – Refugee Teams, Calcio Integrato, Zona Luce and Play for the Future, demonstrating how sport can become a powerful tool to prevent marginalisation and violent behaviour by offering opportunities and positive role models.

Within the discussion on tackling violence, the central role of the project Valori in Rete, developed in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Education and Merit, was also highlighted. Through six thematic pathways, the initiative promotes inclusion, gender equality, anti-bullying measures, health education, anti-doping awareness and active citizenship.

The presentation also addressed the topic of safeguarding policies. Since 2024, the Federal Commission Responsible for Safeguarding Policies has been operational, supported by official regulations and a digital platform for managing reports. This structured system aims to ensure safe environments, prevent abuse and strengthen a culture of responsibility.

Because football, when embedded within a strategic and measurable framework, can truly become a powerful tool for prevention. In the FIGC’s vision, education means building awareness, responsibility and respect for the rules. It means providing opportunities, positive role models and safe environments.