More than Boxing

In Romania, more and more young people – whether they are struggling with addictions, social marginalization, trauma or simply searching for meaning and direction – are left stranded without real support, without benchmarks and without access to credible mentors. For many of them, classic programs fail. Why? Because they start with “solutions” before there is trust. Because they separate people into categories – “addicts with addicts”, “marginalized with marginalized” – perpetuating isolation instead of creating true inclusion.

We do things differently.

The project just won 1st Place at the Cluj Youth Gala , Inclusion and Diversity category , out of over 150 projects entered. Furthermore, we later learned that a second jury also ranked us 1st Place in the Health and Wellbeing category , a recognition that, even if not officially awarded, deeply encouraged us. This validation is important not as a title, but as an external confirmation of the real impact that the project has in the community.

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In the middle of the city of Cluj-Napoca, there is a gym … MORE THAN BOXING. Here, sport is used as a gateway – not with the intention of creating performance athletes, but to gain the trust and respect of young people. In a boxing gym, discipline, effort and mutual respect become the common language. Here, labels disappear.

Once trust is built, doors naturally open, gradually, to mentoring, counseling, specialized therapy, and non-formal education – exactly what every young person needs to grow.

The uniqueness of the program

Integration, not segregation

MORE THAN BOXING is the only program in Romania that brings together in the same space what society prefers to keep separate: young people in recovery from addictions, those of Roma ethnicity, from unbalanced families and environments, refugees, orphans, young people with Down syndrome or ADHD, affected by bullying – alongside performance athletes and young people from balanced families.

There are not just “beneficiaries”. There is a community where everyone belongs, everyone matters and everyone learns from each other. The one in the balanced family discovers empathy and real values. The one who has gone through hardship sees that he is accepted and finds role models. Everyone grows together.

Adults investing in young people

Behind the young people in the program are dedicated adults: coaches, mentors, psychotherapists, volunteers. Some of them have gone through similar transformations themselves – and that is what gives them credibility. They are living proof that change is possible.

These adults don’t just “supervise” – they build authentic relationships, are constantly present, and invest time, energy, and soul in each young person.

Complete approach: Sports + Mentoring + Therapy + Education

Sports are just the beginning. Once young people enter the community, they gradually have access to:

• Group and individual sports training

• Integrated mentoring

• Group therapy, personal development

• Psychological counseling and individual therapy

• Non-formal education through the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award program

• Experiences and mutual support

• Participation in real sports competitions

Education for Life: Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

Since 2023, our Association is a licensed center for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – the most prestigious personal development program for young people in the world, present in over 130 countries.

Founded in 1956 by the British Royal House, the program defines what it means to be a balanced and responsible young person through four essential pillars:

This partnership adds a valuable educational dimension to the MORE THAN BOXING program, completing the circle: community , sports, mentoring, therapy and now internationally recognized non-formal education .

The new home: in the heart of Cluj youth

Because the old hall became too small, since February 2025, MORE THAN BOXING operates in a new space, of 244 sq m, in the Gheorgheni neighborhood, on 7 Nicolae Pascaly Street, in the Interservisan building.

The location could not be more strategic; within a 2 km radius there are

• 5 high schools

• 2 universities

• 4 Student and high school dormitories

• Iulius Mall shopping center

We are literally in the heart of Cluj’s youth. The new space includes a generous training room, locker rooms, bathrooms, but also dedicated spaces for individual counseling, group meetings and mentoring – everything you need for a complete approach.

Adjacent to this space, the Phoneo association also supports the project with the spaces of its community hub “MEETING POINT” on Decebal Street 22-24 in Cluj-Napoca.

The soul of the project

At the center of MORE THAN BOXING is Sergiu Popa – a man who has known both the shadows and the light of life. With incredible inner strength and a transformed life, the father of four children, Sergiu has managed to become a source of inspiration for those around him.

For 8 years, including on the streets, he has been providing support to those in addiction and trouble with the law. He is not just a boxing coach – he is a man who deeply understands the challenges young people face, a man who feels love for those whom society despises.

A team of coaches, psychotherapists and mentors has formed around him who share the same vision: that every young person deserves a chance and that transformation is possible.

Partner network

A key element of the project is the network built around it: 8 organizations (leading in their fields of expertise) and 3 sports clubs , which have an important role in carrying out the stages of influence but which also make the program a solid one, and definitely a model to follow.

Education and personal development

• The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – global non-formal education program,

recognized in over 130 countries

Specialized in rehabilitation

• Preventis Association – prevention, treatment of addictions, partner of the Ministry of Education

• Teen Challenge Romania – residential addiction rehabilitation center

• The Overcoming Life Christian Center – residential addiction rehabilitation center

Specializing in therapy and counseling

• Etos Transilvania Association – counseling and psychotherapy services

Other partnerships

• Dare to Care Association – caring for institutionalized youth

• Alfa Group Association – care for institutionalized young people or those leaving placement centers

• Scripor alphabet – supporting people with visual impairments

Sports clubs

• ALL IN Sports Club Association – sports for people with physical disabilities

• Univers Sports Association

• Voința Sports Club

MORE THAN BOXING has proven that the inclusion model works. We focus on current beneficiaries, increasing the number of those in the mentioned categories, but we also aim to expand our area of influence, addressing people with physical disabilities and the blind .

This will also require adapting the space. We dream of the first boxing gym in Romania truly accessible to everyone.

This vision remains a medium-term objective, which we will develop as resources allow.

About the results:

With the new strategic location in the heart of Cluj youth and the Duke of Edinburgh educational program, we estimate that the number of active young people will double in the next year.

But… the strongest evidence of our impact is not the numbers – but the people whose lives have changed.

Our invitation

We are not asking you to fund yet another “social project.”

We invite you to join a community that is truly changing the paradigm of education and social inclusion in Romania, to support a transformation that goes beyond the boundaries of a simple gym and becomes a model of hope for the entire society.

MORE THAN BOXING demonstrates that young people – all young people, regardless of their background – can grow together, positively influence each other, and become balanced adults who will in turn do good to those around them.

Investing in this program is an investment in the future of Romania. Because our future rests in the hands of young people.

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About the PHONEO Association

Founded in 1995, the PHONEO Association started simply, providing support to disadvantaged communities in Cluj County. Since then, it has grown into a mature organization, headquartered in Cluj-Napoca and with offices in Sibiu and Comșești – where it also established the “Meeting Point” community hubs – carrying out many projects and taking action beyond the country’s borders, including in Africa.

PHONEO ASSOCIATION

CUI: RO 8343748

Registered office: Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County, Str. Decebal 22-24, ROMANIA

Training room: 7 Nicolae Pascaly Street, Cluj-Napoca (Interservisan Building)

www.phoneo.ro

Bank accounts:

Transilvania Bank – Swift: BTRLRO22

RON: RO16BTRLEURCRT0092154102

USD: RO25BTRLUSDCRT0092154107

EUR: RO66BTRLRONCRT0092154110

We believe that direct experience speaks louder than any description. We look forward to welcoming you to our hall!

Association President:

Rares Calugar

rares.calugar@phoneo.ro

+40 745 479 560 

Association Manager:

Anca Beu

 anca.beu@phoneo.ro

+40 757 623 556