The midterm meeting for the CooperationSport4All project was held at the BRAVO office in Sarajevo between 16th and 18th of January, gathering project partners and stakeholders to
evaluate the progress made so far and outline the next steps of the CooperationSport4ALL PROJECT. CooperationSport4All, a project focused on promoting inclusion through sports
for people of all ages, is aimed at fostering community cohesion and providing equal opportunities for participation in sports.
The midterm meeting was an important milestone in
ensuring the initiative stays on track and reaches its intended impact. Upon their arrival in Sarajevo, participants were greeted with a welcome session led by ASFAS, one of the key partners in the project. The initial discussions focused on project
management and coordination, an area covered under Work Package 1 (WP1).
Marina Vukotić, representing ASFAS, led the session, providing updates on the overall coordination efforts that have taken place since the project’s inception. She emphasized the importance of effective communication among all project partners and the need for clear, streamlined management practices to ensure smooth implementation across different regions and organizations involved.
Following this, the group delved into the specifics of implementation with trainers, which falls under Work Package 3 (WP3). Trainers are a critical component of the project, as they serve as the direct link between the project’s goals and the participants who benefit from the sports activities. Marina Vukotić also led this session, highlighting the progress made so far in trainer engagement and involvement. The discussion focused on how trainers have been preparing and executing the sports activities in line with the project’s inclusion goals. This session also provided space to review and reflect on the results achieved by trainers so far, examining what has worked well and what can be improved moving forward.
Then, participants reconvened for the final session of the day, which was dedicated to Work Package 4 (WP4) and involved the development of a scientific paper related to the project. Marina Vukotić presented the progress made in the drafting of the paper, which will serve as a key output for the project, documenting the research, methodologies and findings connected to the initiative. This paper is expected to provide valuable insights into how sports can be leveraged to foster inclusion and social cohesion, offering a basis for future projects and programs with similar objectives.
The day wrapped up with a social dinner at “Kuhinja moje mame,” a local restaurant that offered partners a relaxed and informal setting to deepen relationships and discuss the project in a less structured manner. This social aspect was key to building trust and fostering stronger collaboration among the international group, which is essential for the project’s long-term success.
The next day of the meeting was focused on practical aspects of the project, starting with a session on implementation with children. This session continued the discussions around Work Package 4 (WP4), with a particular emphasis on using outdoor activities to engage kids in “Mountain games”. Marina Vukotić once again facilitated this session, outlining the specific tasks and activities that need to be implemented in the upcoming phases. The group discussed the logistics of organizing these games, ensuring that they are inclusive and accessible to children from diverse backgrounds. A key part of the conversation revolved around multisectoral cooperation, which involves collaborating with different sectors – such as education, local government, and sports clubs – to ensure that the activities reach a wide audience and achieve maximum impact.
Following this, the discussion shifted to Work Package 5 (WP5), where BRAVO took the lead in discussing the impact of the project. This session focused on the key metrics and indicators that will be used to measure the success of the CooperationSport4All initiative. These impact measurements are crucial for understanding how well the project is meeting its goals and identifying areas where additional effort may be required. The conversation also included planning for upcoming documents and reports that need to be prepared to showcase the project’s impact to stakeholders and funders.
After a lunch break, the meeting continued with a session on Work Package 6 (WP6), led by Nijaz Memić from SSK Sarajevo. This session was centered around the dissemination and visibility of the project, which is an essential component for ensuring that the project’s achievements are recognized and that its message reaches as many people as possible. The discussion included strategies for increasing the project’s visibility, particularly through digital media and ensuring that the story of the project is told in a compelling and engaging way to both local and international audiences. By doing so, the project can inspire similar initiatives and contribute to a broader conversation on inclusion through sports.
The final day of the midterm meeting was primarily reserved for departures, but it also served as an opportunity for participants to reflect on the key takeaways from the discussions. Throughout the event, partners had the chance to assess the progress made so far, identify challenges, and collaboratively brainstorm solutions. By the end of the meeting, the group had a clearer understanding of the next steps required to move the project forward and ensure its success. The event underscored the importance of cooperation and open communication in a project of this scale and complexity.
Overall, the mid term meeting of the CooperationSport4All project provided an essential platform for partners to come together, share insights and strengthen their collaborative efforts. With a renewed sense of purpose and a well-defined roadmap for the next phase, the project is on track to continue making a positive impact in promoting inclusion through sports across generations.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Promoting sports and emphasizing their significance in daily life encourages social inclusion and well-being for all ages, genders, and backgrounds. The project uses sports to educate children and youth, instill good values, and train sports workers and coaches.
The main goals are to build basic groups, share best practices from other countries, promote social inclusion through sports (focusing on children with developmental disabilities and those facing disadvantages), and foster positive values such as team spirit. Youth and sports professionals will benefit from the transfer of expert knowledge.
The project will hold workshops, events, and programs that use sports for informal education and advocate for changes in public policy and legislation. The project will target various populations to address the often-overlooked importance of physical activity in public health policies.
The Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity, and Health emphasizes the importance of school policies and programs that promote healthy habits and physical exercise for children, youth, and the community. Sports improve motor skills, confidence, and resilience in children with disabilities and special needs. Physical education and school sports encourage physical exercise and an active lifestyle, enhancing public health. Sports can prevent diseases, improve mental and cognitive health, and engage older adults.
This project will use non-traditional educational methods to create engaging activities and events that teach people about inclusion, gender equality, and healthy habits through sports. This approach demonstrates that sports can be inclusive, innovative, and creative for different learners and communities.