Creating Together is a youth-led project that used sports as a way to promote inclusion in the community and raise awareness of the Special Olympics mission. The project organized youth activation sessions in new and existing Unified Champion Schools across Delhi, while laying the foundation for Unified Youth Fitness Clubs within participating schools.

Through the project, youth leaders with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities were trained on the Special Olympics mission and equipped with the tools to use sports to create more inclusive school communities.
The youth leaders were inspired by the Special Olympics Bharat mission, particularly the idea of shifting from sympathy to solidarity. With support from the National Youth Leadership Council and participating school mentors, they were encouraged to bring the Unified model into schools and create opportunities for students to learn, connect, and play together.
The project began by identifying schools to participate and developing specialized training materials focused on the Special Olympics mission, principles of inclusion, and Unified Sports. The youth leaders then recruited and trained 50 youth leaders from participating schools using the curriculum they developed. These leaders formed the foundation of the first Unified Youth Fitness Clubs and worked to bring additional young leaders into club operations.

The project then organized interactive youth activation sessions in 20 schools, introducing students, teachers, and parents to the concept of Unified Youth Fitness Clubs and the role sports can play in creating inclusive communities. These sessions helped build awareness while encouraging broader participation and support from the school community.

Once the clubs were established, the youth leaders gradually introduced fitness activities into existing school routines. They aligned activities with physical education periods and added morning coaching sessions, making it easier for schools to adopt the program without disrupting academic schedules. Youth leaders were equipped to facilitate fitness activities, team-building exercises, and Unified Sports opportunities that encouraged students to participate and build connections with one another.
The project helped strengthen a culture of inclusion by establishing Unified Youth Fitness Clubs across multiple schools in Delhi, India. Participating Unified partners extended the impact beyond their schools by engaging their families and friends and encouraging the development of healthy, active routines at home and in their communities.
Athrav and Shobhit’s favorite memory was the final carnival, where they saw the energy shift from helping each other to simply playing together and celebrating as a team. Through the project, they learned that leadership has no label and that bringing together different strengths can make a project more effective.

The project leaders are especially proud of its sustainability. Rather than being a one-day event, Creating Together inspired other schools to adopt the fitness plan and continue building their own Unified Youth Fitness Clubs, making inclusion a lasting part of their school communities. They plan to continue serving as ambassadors for inclusion by mentoring and supporting other young leaders in their community.