Sport dans la Ville was founded in 1998 in Lyon to create a sports programme that would help young people from difficult neighbourhoods. It has since grown into France's largest non-profit sports organisation. Its programmes use sport—in particular football—to encourage participants to avoid anti-social behaviour and value teamwork, leadership and social integration. The organisation focuses on working with young people at an early age to instil the core values that will help them integrate themselves into society and improve their chances of employment.

How it works
Every week, young people aged 7-20 in 18 of the most deprived areas of the Rhone-Alpes region can participate in football, basket-ball and rugby programmes free of charge. Local, free participation in sports such as football serves as the initial attraction as well as the impetus for further engagement.
The same coaches are present at the same time and place each week, creating a stable, committed environment for young people. As young participants show their commitment to the programme, they can earn recognition for values such as punctuality, politeness and respect for others that can in turn lead to them taking part in reward programmes such as international exchanges or holiday camps. Their passion for football is what brings young people into Sport dans la Ville, but it is the act of playing the game itself that helps them to develop the social skills they require to find gainful employment in the future.
Each year, young people who have demonstrated their commitment to the project and a positive attitude are eligible to be selected for summer and winter camps. The camps include football and other sports, as well as artistic activities such as drama and painting. In the camps, Sport dans la Ville staff can encourage participants more directly as well as expose them to a new environment—a useful experience for young people who will soon be navigating the job market. Participants are encouraged to explore their potential and surroundings, to remain open, and to develop personally.

Exemplary young people are also eligible for international exchange programmes; these trips
to Brazil, New York and India are aimed at discovery and development of individuals and serve as a first step toward the “Job dans la Ville” programme.
Initially, young people begin and stay at Sport dans la Ville for the football and other sport programmes. Once the foundation has been laid and football has been used to establish values such as respect and commitment, young participants are ready to progress to more formal job training. “Job dans la Ville” offers employment training and mentorship for young people aged 14 and over. “Entrepreneurs dans la Ville » assists young individuals aged 20-30 with their entrepreneurial plans. “L dans la Ville” is dedicated to girls aged 12 and over; through football training, workshops, cultural events and travel, it helps them integrate into society and prepares them for the “Job dans la Ville” and “Entrepreneurs dans la Ville” programmes.

Outcomes
Since 2007, Sport dans la Ville has seen rapid growth. Its recently established 'Campus' building has allowed for the expansion of services, particularly in the “Job dans la Ville” and “Entrepreneurs dans la Ville" programmes. A separate infrastructure is currently under construction to support the latter programme. A refitted bus called the “Apprenti'Bus” serves as a successful portable classroom for children aged 9-11.

With football at the root of their experience, participants are proactively fighting the effects of social exclusion, taking advantage of promising employment opportunities and even creating their own. Sixty-one of the 150 individuals enrolled in “Job dans la Ville” have work contracts, and 78% of the young people who completed “Entrepreneurs dans la Ville” have developed their business idea. Sport dans la Ville has had significant success in using football and other sports to integrate young people from disadvantaged communities into French society.