STVV stadium as a classroom for democracy: 'Football has enormous social power'

The stadium of football club Sint-Truiden has transformed into a classroom for young citizens, hosting an educational project called Team4Democracy. Over six weeks, youth players engaged in workshops focused on respect, cooperation, and inclusion, using the familiar environment of their football club to explore the meaning of good citizenship.

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The football stadium becomes the classroom.

"The football stadium becomes the classroom," explained Jean-Daniël Vaneste of Team4Democracy. He highlighted how examples drawn from football resonate easily with young people, helping them understand situations involving peer pressure, diversity, and teamwork. Through immersive assignments, role-playing, and group tasks, the project allows participants to experience democratic principles in practice. For instance, one exercise involves giving one group colorful markers and another a black marker and two non-working pens, followed by a discussion on why the "winners" in such a scenario are not truly successful.

STVV's stadium is the first location in the Limburg region to host Team4Democracy, an initiative by BELvue, an organization dedicated to promoting democracy. Similar sessions have previously taken place at other Belgian football clubs, including Club Brugge, Union SG, Standard, and KAS Eupen. By organizing these workshops within football stadiums, the project seeks to reduce the perceived distance for young people and make societal issues approachable and discussable.

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With examples from football, young people easily recognize themselves in situations around peer pressure, diversity, and cooperation.

"Sport is so much more than keeping your body healthy. You also learn to cooperate and treat each other with respect," stated the local alderman for sports, Gunter Dauw. He believes the project aligns perfectly with the broader role of sports in society. Following the sessions with STVV's youth players, the city plans to expand the initiative to other football clubs and eventually to schools, further embedding these democratic values into the community.

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Sport is so much more than your body healthy keeping. You learn also to cooperate and respectfully with each other to deal.