ESF+ Programme

The Sport Ireland ESF+ programme "Sport 4 Empowerment" (S4E) implements socially innovative programmes, using sport and physical activity, to foster social inclusion and enhance the wellbeing, education, and economic prospects of people at risk of social exclusion. 

This project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. 

Sport Ireland has developed a new “Sport 4 Empowerment” (S4E) programme as part of Ireland’s EIST Programme for 2021 – 2027. This programme will develop new social inclusion programmes through sport and physical activity with a specific focus on people at risk of social exclusion and poverty. Sport Ireland’s programme is within the social innovation priority of the EIST 2021- 2027 programme. This programme will support innovative ideas, and methods to tackle social issues through user-focused design thinking. Design thinking boosts creative problem-solving and innovation, enabling successful projects to scale on a national level. Sport and physical activity will be used as the mechanism to reach and engage with the identified target communities through innovative programmes.

Sport Ireland has developed the following vision, mission, and principles for the S4E programme.