Using a highly participatory approach, participants took part in system-mapping exercises, group discussions, cross-country exchanges, athlete-focused activities, case studies and collaborative action planning. These activities enabled participants to identify key actors within their national sport systems, examine where participation pathways may become difficult or disconnected, and consider practical opportunities for improvement.

A central focus of the workshops was the journey from awareness and entry into sport through participation, development, competition and elite sport. Participants reflected on how different organisations influence these stages and where stronger coordination could help people enter, remain and progress within sport.

The workshops also highlighted the importance of looking at accessibility beyond facilities alone. Transport, adapted equipment, information, communication and local support all play an important role in creating meaningful opportunities to participate.

By the end of the workshops, participants had identified barriers and enabling factors, explored approaches to improving monitoring and developed context-specific actions that could be taken forward within their own organisations and national systems.

Importantly, the workshops created a space for stakeholders from different areas of the sport ecosystem to engage in structured dialogue and peer learning. Participants were encouraged to take their learning forward as multipliers for inclusive change, helping to strengthen connections and participation pathways within their own contexts. This reflects the wider objective of the training to generate tangible actions that can support continued inclusion and dissemination.

🎥 Watch the video here to learn more about the workshops, their activities and their outcomes.

Interested in working with ICSSPE?

ICSSPE welcomes opportunities to exchange knowledge and collaborate with organisations working to advance inclusion, physical education, sport science and sport for development.

For further information or collaboration opportunities:

Website: www.icsspe.org
E-mail: icsspe@icsspe.org

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The closing event marked an important milestone in the project, bringing together athletes, sport professionals, policymakers, national focal points, and representatives of European institutions to reflect on the project’s findings, outcomes and future directions.

The “Sport For All” project aims to support a more inclusive sport culture by addressing barriers to the participation of persons with disabilities in sport and by promoting safer, more accessible and non-discriminatory sport environments. The project focused on eight participating countries: Armenia, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine.

Translating project findings into capacity building

As part of the project, ICSSPE was responsible for supporting the capacity-building component through the design and delivery of two tailored training workshops for sport professionals and stakeholders from the participating countries. These workshops built on the findings of the project’s needs assessment and focused on strengthening inclusive sport systems in practice.

Patrick Stolpmann represented ICSSPE during the closing event. On the first day, he moderated the session on “Athlete leadership and advocacy”, which featured contributions from Martina Caironi, Paralympic medallist in the 100m sprint and long jump and member of the Athletes’ Council of the International Paralympic Committee and World Para Athletics, and Päivi Tolppanen, Para judo coach and Vice-President of the Finnish Paralympic Committee. The discussion highlighted the role of athletes and sport leaders in advancing inclusion, visibility and meaningful participation for persons with disabilities in sport.

From workshop outcomes to future action

On the second day, Patrick presented the outcomes of the Sport For All training workshops during the session “Building the capacity of grassroots”. The session also included national good practice contributions from Gearóidín McTavish, Director of Disability at Sport Ireland and Sport For All focal point, and Daniel Videira, Executive Committee Member of the National Paralympic Committee of Portugal and Sport For All focal point.

This session positioned capacity building as a key bridge between the project’s analytical work and future implementation. While the needs assessment identified common structural challenges across the participating countries, the training workshops supported stakeholders in exploring how these findings can inform practical change within their own sport environments.

The closing event also included the presentation of the Sport For All Toolkit, discussions on career pathways for persons with disabilities in sport, and sport demonstrations including wheelchair fencing and blind football. These elements reflected the project’s broader message: inclusive sport systems require not only policy frameworks, but also visible role models, accessible pathways, trained professionals, practical tools and sustained institutional commitment.

ICSSPE is proud to have contributed to this initiative and to have supported the project’s efforts to strengthen inclusion and combat discrimination against persons with disabilities in sport. The outcomes of the project provide a valuable foundation for continued cooperation, peer learning and practical action across Europe and beyond.

Read more about the project and access all resources here: Home – Sport for all

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