As the SportWay project approaches its conclusion with the final event in Austria, partners from Italy, Slovenia and Austria look back on a journey that has gone far beyond sport. Over the past two years, SportWay has created bridges between communities, promoted inclusion through physical activity, and offered new perspectives on how sport can become a real driver for social change.
From the inclusive tournaments in Ljubljana and Possagno to the workshops and awareness campaigns carried out in schools and local clubs, SportWay has demonstrated that sport is a universal language capable of breaking down barriers and uniting people of all abilities. The project has inspired hundreds of young people, athletes with and without disabilities, coaches, and volunteers to experience fair play, empathy and teamwork in new ways.
The final event in Austria represents not an ending, but a new beginning. Partners are already working on strategies to ensure the project’s sustainability: sharing the SportWay Inclusive Guidelines, creating an open-access toolkit for clubs, and developing a network of “inclusive sport ambassadors” across Europe.
The SportWay experience has shown that when inclusion, education and sport meet, the result is lasting impact. The values promoted by the project, accessibility, cooperation and respect, will continue to guide future actions and partnerships well beyond the project’s official timeline.
SportWay may be coming to an end, but its spirit will keep moving forward — promoting inclusion, one game at a time.
A Pathway Towards Inclusion
The core mission of SportWay has been clear from the start: to make sport a powerful and accessible tool for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or ability. Through its cross-border cooperation, the project has encouraged communities to see sport not only as competition, but as a shared experience that fosters empathy, collaboration, and understanding.
Inclusive events organized in Ljubljana, Possagno and Vienna have shown that when people play together , athletes with and without disabilities, coaches, students, volunteers, and local associations, barriers fade away and new relationships emerge. These experiences have become laboratories of mutual respect and teamwork, where diversity turns into strength.
Each event , from the inclusive event in Possagno, Italy, to the workshops in Ljubljana and the final showcase in Austria, has contributed to shaping a collective narrative: that sport is for everyone, and inclusion can be learned, practiced, and celebrated on the field.
Beyond the Project: Sustainability and Future Perspectives
Although the official timeline of SportWay is coming to an end, its impact will continue to grow. Partners are actively working to ensure the sustainability and long-term continuation of the project’s results. Among the initiatives currently under development:
- An open-access digital toolkit for sport clubs and schools, collecting methods, tools, and best practices tested during the project.
- A permanent network of “Inclusive Sport Ambassadors”, volunteers and educators who will continue to promote the values of inclusion in their local communities.
- Integration of the SportWay Inclusive Guidelines into the daily work of sport organizations and training centers.
- Future European collaborations that will build upon the SportWay experience, expanding its reach and connecting with new partners and Erasmus+ networks.
This vision for sustainability is not only about keeping the activities alive , it’s about nurturing a culture of inclusion that can evolve and adapt to future challenges, ensuring that the principles developed within SportWay continue to inspire other European initiatives.
A Human Legacy
Behind every activity, there have been stories of courage, friendship and discovery. The project has empowered young people to volunteer, learn new skills, and engage in their communities. It has given visibility to athletes with disabilities who became role models for others, proving that inclusion is not an abstract concept, but something that happens in real places, in a gym, on a football pitch, or during a shared training session.
These human stories are the true legacy of SportWay. They remind us that sport can be much more than physical exercise, it can be a language of connection, a tool for education, and a pathway to a more united Europe.
A Way Forward
As SportWay closes its current chapter, its message remains open and forward-looking: inclusion must keep moving. The lessons learned and the partnerships built over these two years have set solid foundations for future collaborations and policy innovation in the field of inclusive sport.
SportWay will continue to live through the people it has connected, the institutions that have embraced its values, and the new initiatives it has inspired.
“…Because inclusion is not a destination, it is a way forward.
And SportWay will keep showing the path…”
