EDP Club Runners
Social inclusion
In April 2024, EDP launched the “EDP Clube Runners” project with the aim of democratizing access to professional athletics for young people between the ages of 6 and 16, coming from economically vulnerable communities. This project was developed in partnership with Social Innovation Sports, which is responsible for implementation and coordination on the ground.
In the first year, the project started in two neighborhoods in Lisbon, Cova da Moura and Zambujal, in collaboration with local associations:
- Cova da Moura: Associação de Solidariedade Social do Alto da Cova da Moura, Associação Cultural Moinho da Juventude
- Zambujal: Academia do Johnson, CooperActiva, CAZA
In February 2025, this project expanded to Porto, where a unique club was launched that will work with children from 3 neighborhoods (Cerco, Falcão, and Monte da Bela) in the parish of Campanhã, one of the territories affected by poverty and social exclusion in the city.
The “Clube Runners” project offers young people two weekly physical training sessions, guided by a qualified coach who supports them in developing essential skills for athletic practice. Additionally, it has a community leader responsible for attracting young people and families to activities, and a monitor, both identified with the help of partner associations, reinforcing community spirit and creating employment for residents of these communities.
Besides the physical component, the project also promotes social integration, strengthening the sense of community, belonging, and pride among participants. The goal is that these teams can progressively start competing in official events such as the EDP New Generation, the youth race preceding the EDP Lisbon Marathon in October.
Additionally, every two months, an outing from the neighborhood is organized, providing unique experiences outside the usual context of the young people. In the project's early months, special training sessions were held at Parque de Monsanto and the Multi-Purpose Pavilion of Estádio José Alvalade.
The “Club Runners” is more than a sports initiative; it is a social transformation engine, providing young people from involved communities with new opportunities and experiences while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.
