Zumba for refugees

The project was initiated by a multicultural team, many of whom have personal experience of living as refugees. This helped us better understand the challenges refugees face, such as stress, isolation, and limited access to sports or community activities.

Within the project, we organised regular Zumba sessions in a professional dance studio. The activities combined physical exercise, music, and intercultural interaction, creating a welcoming and motivating environment for participants of different backgrounds and ages.

In total, 25 unique participants took part in the project, and many of them attended the sessions regularly, resulting in a significantly higher total number of attendances and sustained engagement. Participants reported improved mood, reduced stress, opportunities to meet new people, and a stronger sense of connection with the local community. Feedback showed a high level of satisfaction and interest in continuing such activities.

The project also strengthened our team’s organisational, communication, and project management skills. The experience demonstrated that dance can be an effective tool for integration, well-being, and community building.

Partenaires 

• Creative projects (Luxembourg)

Durée

du 01-06-2024 au 31-05-2025

Activités

We organised regular Zumba dance sessions for refugees in Luxembourg, combining physical activity, music, and social interaction. The project included planning meetings, coordination with partners, participant outreach via WhatsApp and social media, and the delivery of biweekly dance workshops in a professional studio. We also documented activities through photos and videos, collected participant feedback using online forms, and held team meetings (online and in person) to monitor progress and adjust the implementation.

Produits 

The project resulted in 11 organised Zumba sessions and the participation of 25 unique participants, with many attending multiple times. We created an active Instagram page documenting the activities, collected participant feedback, and strengthened cooperation with local organisations. The project improved participants’ well-being, social connections, and motivation for physical activity, while the team gained valuable experience in project management, communication, and community engagement.

Impacts

The project had a positive impact on both participants and the project team. Refugee participants improved their physical activity level, emotional well-being, and social interaction. The sessions created a safe and welcoming space where people from different backgrounds could meet, reduce stress, and feel more connected to the local community. Many participants returned regularly, showing sustained engagement and motivation.

For the team, the project strengthened skills in project planning, communication, teamwork, and community outreach. We gained practical experience in organising activities, managing logistics, promoting events through social media, and collecting feedback. The project also increased visibility of inclusive cultural and sports initiatives for refugees in Luxembourg.

Perspectives

The experience gained through this project encourages us to continue organising inclusive dance and well-being activities for refugees and local communities. We plan to build on this initiative by applying for new projects, expanding cooperation with local organisations, and increasing outreach to more diverse participant groups.

Our Instagram community and contacts with participants and instructors provide a good basis for future activities. We aim to organise more regular sessions, improve communication with participants, and involve new partners to make the initiative more sustainable and accessible. The project laid a strong foundation for further community-based cultural and integration initiatives in Luxembourg.