Sport is much more than competition or recreation; it is a powerful educational and social tool. The STELLA Project recognises this potential, treating sport not only as a path to physical health and inclusion but also as a tool for environmental learning. When sustainability is integrated into sporting contexts, young people naturally associate ecological awareness with teamwork, discipline and personal growth.

Educators and coaches can apply this concept by designing activities that merge sport and sustainability. For instance, football tournaments could include an “eco-halftime” moment, where teams lead short awareness actions – such as cleaning up the field or discussing ways to reduce waste from events. Schools could host Eco Runs, where students collect recyclable items along a route, or Green Obstacle Courses, where each challenge is linked to a sustainability theme like energy conservation or biodiversity. These experiences connect physical energy with ecological understanding, making learning both active and memorable.

The STELLA approach also extends to the organisation of sports events themselves. Coaches and youth organisations are encouraged to make their activities more environmentally responsible by reducing waste, managing resources efficiently, and rethinking travel and logistics. 

Sport also offers a strong motivational structure. Young people are driven by teamwork, competition, and community. By rewarding sustainable choices – for example, giving “green points” to the most eco-friendly team or celebrating clubs that implement environmental initiatives – educators can tap into this natural motivation. In this way, sustainability becomes a shared goal rather than an imposed rule. The STELLA Project demonstrates the power of this approach through its 25 local workshops and its wide-reaching online campaign, designed to engage hundreds of young people and thousands more through digital media.

Reflection is a key element of this learning process. After each activity, young participants are invited to discuss what they learned and how their sporting actions connected with sustainability goals. This moment of dialogue reinforces understanding and helps translate playful experiences into lasting awareness.