Lidl and Fondazione Laureus Italia launch the “Cycling for Good” project with 60 sports scholarships

Lidl in collaboration with Fondazione Laureus Sport for Good Italia Ets has presented “Cycling for Good”, the new project that will enable children and young people from backgrounds of socio-educational vulnerability to discover cycling thanks to 60 sports scholarships.

The initiative’s three areas

The initiative, developed by Fondazione Laureus Italia thanks to financial support from Lidl, will involve a total of 60 children and young people in the areas of Sovico (Mb), Bari and Catania through three local sports partners: VeloClub Sovico, Scuola di Ciclismo Franco Ballerini di Bari and Outschool Bike Team di Catania.

Through its support for the project, Lidl will work alongside Fondazione Laureus Italia to make taking part in sport accessible also to children and young people who, for economic or social reasons, might not have the same opportunities as their peers. This commitment will make it possible to develop ongoing activities in the three areas and to accompany participants on a journey that will go beyond the purely sporting dimension. The shared objective is, in fact, to promote movement and sport in the most socio-economically vulnerable contexts, fostering inclusion and education, strengthening communities and helping to combat every form of discrimination.

The connection with cycling

At the heart of the project will be cycling, chosen as a discipline capable of supporting the physical, cognitive and emotional development of young people while also encouraging the adoption of a healthy and active lifestyle from childhood. The connection between Lidl and the world of cycling has its roots in the long-term strategic partnership that, since 2023, has seen the brand stand alongside the international cycling team Lidl-Trek: a union created to inspire new generations of athletes and enthusiasts around the world and to promote health in 360 degrees through sport and mindful eating. Through cycling, “Cycling for Good” also aims to promote values such as independence, responsibility, respect for rules, sharing and team spirit.

The project’s progress

The project will begin this month with the first phase, which involves identifying and enrolling 20 children in each area; this will be followed by sports activities combined with opportunities for engagement for the three communities, all aimed at promoting the values of sport, inclusion and a healthy lifestyle.

Reporting on the impact generated among the young people involved and in their communities is planned for the end of the project, which will coincide with the end of the school year.

The comments

“Cycling for Good was created out of the desire to bring cycling into our educational and inclusive offering, connecting Lidl’s commitment with Laureus’s experience and the valuable work of organisations already active in the local areas. For us, cycling is an extraordinary educational ally: it teaches young people to take care of themselves, developing responsibility, independence and awareness. Through this project, we want to offer children and young people an experience capable of accompanying them as they grow, while also enhancing the specific characteristics and skills of local communities. We thank Lidl for beginning this shared journey and the three sports organisations involved, who are essential partners for us and for the young people,” comments Lara Tagliabue, Head of Programmes at Fondazione Laureus Italia.

“We firmly believe in sport and particularly in cycling, having been committed to our Lidl-Trek team for years. With this project, we have chosen to take things a step further and look towards future generations. Like Laureus, we are deeply convinced of the power of sport as a tool for inclusion, social advancement and educational development for young people. Fondazione Laureus Italia’s extraordinary experience in social work and extensive presence across the country will enable us to turn this initiative into a real impact, offering young people concrete opportunities to develop their potential and become the protagonists of tomorrow,” says Alessia Bonifazi, Corporate Affairs Director at Lidl Italia.

This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.