Rogo & Friends: Sporting integration of refugees

More than 20,000 refugees live in the canton of Zurich. Of these, 82% are younger than 35. Most of them come from difficult circumstances and are traumatized. At the same time, there are hardly any suitable sports offers. This is despite the fact that sport has been proven to contribute to mental health.

The association Sportegration brings together refugees and locals in the canton of Zurich and uses sport as a basis for sustainable integration. The focus is on the development of potential, equal opportunities and holistic health promotion, as well as intercultural exchange. Since its foundation, the association has already organized over 5,000 training sessions. This is made possible by around 155 volunteer coaches and helpers.

Sportegration commissioned Rogo & Friends for the Swiss Refugee Day on June 19 with a new brand identity, a new website and three short films. The result is three stories told from the perspective of refugees. They show how sustainable the work of Sportegration has an impact. The portraits by photographer and film director Alessandro d'Angelo are representative of all participants.

"We should seriously ask ourselves how we deal with refugees who have arrived and are living here in Switzerland. The potential for their integration through sports is huge. And it is often their first step, thanks to which they later also gain a foothold in the professional world. To make the important work of Sportegration known, to create a platform for the refugees, to offer insights into their lives, makes me very proud and happy," says Roger Grolimund, founder of Rogo & Friends.

Responsible at the association Sportegration: Annina Largo (President), Eva Gaudenz (Communications). Responsible at Rogo & Friends: Roger Grolimund (concept and consulting), Marco Donada (animation and design), Alessandro d'Angelo (photography and film). Responsible for Mind: Lukas Gächter and Fabian Müller (website).