Every positive step deserves recognition: supporting young people through sport and encouragement

Eurochild member Croatia for Children Foundation launches an initiative that celebrates children and young people who have overcome behavioural challenges through sport, healthy lifestyles and the support of caring professionals.

Every child deserves to be recognised not only for who they are today but also for how far they have come. This idea inspired "The Path of Good Decisions", a new initiative by the Croatia for Children Foundation that celebrates children and young people who have made meaningful positive changes in their lives through perseverance, healthy choices and sport.

The initiative builds on the Foundation's mental health campaign "My Strength, My Path", which supported children and young people with behavioural difficulties across Croatia. After the campaign ended, the Foundation wanted to understand its long term impact and continue supporting those whose lives had changed for the better.

Working together with ten community based child support centres, professionals identified young people who had become involved in sport, adopted healthier lifestyles and demonstrated significant improvements in their behaviour after participating in the campaign. Instead of focusing on the difficulties these children had experienced, the initiative recognises their determination, resilience and personal growth.

As a reward for their commitment, participants attended the three day "Let's Play" sports camp, held in Sveti Martin na Muri from 21 to 23 June 2026. Young people from community based child support centres in Osijek, Ivanec, Bedekovčina, Pula, Rijeka, Karlovac and Split participated in basketball, football, beach volleyball, martial arts, swimming and many other recreational activities guided by experienced coaches. The programme also included motivational workshops and team activities that encouraged responsibility, healthy lifestyles, cooperation and self confidence.

For the Foundation, the camp was much more than a sporting event. It was an opportunity to celebrate children's achievements, strengthen their confidence and encourage them to continue making positive choices in their everyday lives. It also showed how sport can help children develop resilience, build friendships and discover their own strengths.

The project reflects a simple but powerful belief that children should never be defined by the challenges they face. They should be recognised for their progress, their courage and their potential. By celebrating positive stories and investing in children's strengths, "The Path of Good Decisions" promotes mental well being, social inclusion and hope for the future.

The Croatia for Children Foundation hopes that this approach will inspire similar initiatives across Europe and contribute to a growing understanding that every child deserves encouragement, recognition and the opportunity to succeed.