World Refugee Day: Solidarity starts with one step

When your entire life has to fit into a single backpack, your very existence is at stake. For over 117 million people around the world, this is not a hypothetical situation – it’s harsh reality. On World Refugee Day, we pause to remember: Flight doesn’t end at the border.

In Switzerland, many refugees live for months or even years in shared shelters – isolated, without privacy, and often without access to work or self-determined leisure. Their days are filled with waiting: for a decision, for integration opportunities, for a return to normal life.

This is where SPORTEGRATION comes in. Our free sports programmes for refugees go beyond fitness – they foster connection, build confidence, and offer orientation in a new environment. We create spaces of empowerment, friendship and shared experience.

A powerful act of solidarity came from Robbie Newton and Léo de Riedmatten, who ran Project26: 26 days, 26 cantons, 26 kilometres per day – to raise awareness and funds for SPORTEGRATION. More than CHF 26,000 were raised to support our mission of integration through sport.

Yesterday, we celebrated the premiere of the documentary Project26, filmed by Alejo Sonnenberg, who dedicated countless voluntary hours to this inspiring project. Fifteen members of our community and over 40 supporters of Rob and Leo joined us for an emotional and heartfelt evening.

The film highlights not only physical endurance, but also this deeper truth:
While Rob and Leo ran 676 kilometres by choice, many refugees walk over 1,500 kilometres – not for sport, but to survive.

This reality humbles us. And it reminds us of the importance of humanity, solidarity and real support. On World Refugee Day, refugees are not numbers – they are part of our society, and they deserve to be heard, seen and supported.

🙏 Thank you, Rob, Leo and Alejo – for your strength, your energy and your heart.