trail heroines – step foundation

trail heldinnen is a mountain biking program supported by the step foundation in Freiburg, specifically targeting girls with a refugee background and providing equipment free of charge. In weekly sessions, participants learn basic riding techniques, group behavior in road traffic, and experience joint rides in the surrounding nature. The program, which promotes regional private individuals as participants and is exclusively open to non-profit organizations, follows an inclusive approach. Within a protected environment, trained team leaders support the girls in experiencing self-efficacy and strengthening social mobility. As an ongoing funding opportunity without a fixed application deadline, participation can be applied for at any time, provided the applicant resides in Freiburg or the surrounding area and meets the eligibility criterion of "girls with a refugee background."

Beyond the sport and experiential educational use of mountain biking, the program aims at the psychomotor development and resilience promotion of the participants. The step foundation builds on its vision of supporting children and youth in leading self-determined lives and strengthening social cohesion through inclusive sports offerings. In addition to practical implementation, the project enables sustainable participation through free club memberships and follow-up courses at the Mountain Bike Club Freiburg. Interested institutions and cooperation partners from the fields of child and youth development, sports, health, migration, as well as culture and media are invited to further disseminate the concept and jointly initiate empowerment processes. Registration is possible at any time and underscores the step foundation’s ongoing commitment to a diverse, inclusive sports landscape.