The European Union [E.U.] has provided funding assistance of $200,000 tala to the Special Olympics Samoa in its continued efforts to create a world of inclusion and community.

This was highlighted in a joint media release issued by the E.U. and the Special Olympics Samoa [S.O.S.].

According to the media release, funding has been provided through the Civil Society Support Programme [C.S.S.P.] in its continued efforts to create a world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of their differences.

The initiative will be implemented within 24 months and will allow the S.O.S. to achieve the following objectives: 

• Achieve high quality of services through sporting programme and engaging key influencers and communities with that experience in ways that help to create positive attitudes and bring about permanent change towards inclusion of people with Intellectual Disability.

• Mainstream disability sports services to ensure they are more accessible for people with and without intellectual disability within families, villages, faith based organization and at community level.

• Strengthening the development of the S.O.S. continues to shift perception and behaviors towards people with intellectual disabilities, from exclusion to acceptance.

• Inclusion, mainstreaming and recognition of persons with intellectual disabilities in schools, communities and homes in terms of having access to sports and have the power to change the world of people with intellectual disabilities. 

The outcome of this E.U. funding support to the S.O.S. will ensure the increase in number of people participation with and without disability [intellectual disability] and inclusive of parents, families, village and churches, giving them continuing equal opportunities to support, develop and demonstrate courage, experience joy, participate in friendship with families and other athletes [children, young athletes, youth athletes, parents] and communities.

The National Director of S.O.S., Unasa Elizabeth Ah Poe acknowledged with appreciation the generous assistance from E.U. in funding the activities of their organisation to support its services to people with and without intellectual disability at the community level.

The SOS is a non-government organization accredited by the Samoa Olympics International [S.O.I.], which is a global movement of people creating a world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless their differences through sports.