In 2021, the Olympic Committee of Slovenia – Association of Sports Federations (through the Leon Štukelj and Miroslav Cerar Foundation for supporting athletes and other talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds) joined forces with the Anita Ogulin Charity Association (through the Botrstvo v Sloveniji programme) to launch the Botrstvo v športuinitiative, based on the proposal of Matej Avanzo. The aim was to provide targeted support to young, talented athletes from socially disadvantaged environments.
Today, Botrstvo v športu is recognized as Slovenia’s most prominent sports-related humanitarian project. Through transparent, modern, and strategic operations, it strives to unite most sports-related foundations and charitable projects in Slovenia, including those connected to elite athletes and major sports initiatives.
The purpose of the Botrstvo v športu project is to provide help to young athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds, aged 14 to 23, in developing and realizing their athletic potential. The main goal is to become a stable pillar of support on their career path, particularly when they lack the means to continue their sports endeavors.
The project aims to give equal opportunities to athletic talents from weaker socio-economic backgrounds. We believe that if all stakeholders in sport unite under Botrstvo v športu, the sky is the limit. On the path of development—athletic, personal, and social—we aim to support as many young athletes as possible who might not otherwise realize their full potential.
According to the project regulations, funds are primarily distributed through a scholarship program, while a special fund is available for urgent and exceptional cases that require quick action. If the current year’s funds are not fully spent, they are carried over to the next calendar year.
Recipients of the Botrstvo v športu funds are registered athletes who compete regularly, are members of sports organizations, and show athletic potential. In older age categories, being a categorized athlete is mandatory.
Athletes apply for support through a public call, usually published at the end of the year (November or December), detailing the application conditions and submission deadlines.
Applications for urgent cases can be submitted at any time. These include sudden financial hardship, health issues in the family, unexpected sports-related expenses, and other extraordinary or urgent situations.
