Sport has the power to bring people together, create dialogue, and inspire positive change. This was the driving idea behind Run Against the Right, organised by EGLSF German member Seitenwechsel e.V. The initiative, supported by the EGLSF’s GAME for Inclusion Europe Subgrant Programme, was an inclusive community sports event held at Berlin's Tempelhofer Feld.
It combined physical activity with civic participation, encouraging people to unite against right-wing extremism, discrimination, and exclusion while advocating for LGBTQI+ rights, equality, and democracy. Open to all, regardless of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, or sporting background, this initiative showcased how sports can foster inclusive environments where everyone feels welcome.
Participants could choose from a variety of activities, such as short and long-distance runs, walking, and rolling routes, making the event accessible to people with different abilities and fitness levels. Alongside the sporting programme, speeches, live performances, music, and community activities created opportunities for dialogue, visibility, and solidarity.
The EGLSF subgrant played an important role in turning the idea into reality. It supported the planning, coordination, communication, and delivery of the event, helping organisers strengthen community outreach, engage volunteers, and ensure that the event remained accessible and inclusive while amplifying its message of equality and European values.
The event attracted more than 1,000 participants. Beyond the numbers, it sent a strong public message in support of human rights and inclusion, strengthened cooperation between grassroots sports clubs and civil society organisations, and showcased the important role sport can play in tackling discrimination and fostering social cohesion.
The initiative also had a tangible community impact, raising €10,000 for Queere Jugend Berlin, supporting the organisation's work with LGBTQI+ young people.
Looking ahead, the organisers aim to build on the partnerships and experience developed through the project to deliver future editions of Run Against the Right and inspire similar initiatives elsewhere. By combining sport, community engagement, and advocacy, the project has created a model that can continue promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion both on and beyond the playing field.
Run Against the Right was supported through the EGLSF’s GAME for Inclusion Europe Subgrant Programme, part of UNITED in Sport: A European Plan for LGBTIQ+ Inclusion (2026), co-funded by the European Union under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme. Beyond providing financial support, the programme connects local initiatives with a wider European movement, helping organisations exchange knowledge, build lasting partnerships, and strengthen the impact of LGBTQI+ inclusion through sport across Europe.