About us
Join our Network
Athletics for Inclusion and Tolerance
Sport that Unites
A European project promoting equality and inclusion through grassroots athletics—breaking barriers, building understanding, and creating spaces where everyone belongs.
Why This Project Matters
25%
Europeans with Disabilities
One in four Europeans lives with some form of disability
90%
Youth Unemployment
In Eastern Europe, this percentage of young people with disabilities are unemployed
5%
Sports Accessibility
Only this small fraction of sports clubs are open to people with disabilities
These statistics reveal a significant gap in sports accessibility across Europe, particularly in eastern regions. We firmly believe that sport is a fundamental right that must include everyone, regardless of ability. Our project aims to bridge this divide and create truly inclusive athletic opportunities.
Our Mission
Create Real Change
Transform sports culture across Europe
Build Community
Break stereotypes and forge meaningful connections
Unite Through Sport
Bring together youth with and without disabilities
We bring together young people of all abilities to train, move, and grow together. Through athletics, we create shared experiences that challenge perceptions and foster genuine friendships. Our work empowers coaches, educates communities, and creates meaningful change in Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, and Romania.
What We Do
National Inclusive Events
16 athletics events bringing together participants of all abilities across four countries
Coach Development
4 training seminars for coaches, 4 first aid courses, and comprehensive learning resources
Educational Materials
20 video lessons with inclusive exercises, 1 methodology handbook, and 4 podcast episodes
Network Building
International survey with 200+ sports workers and a digital network of 30+ inclusive clubs
Our comprehensive approach combines practical training, educational resources, and community building to create lasting change in how athletics programmes include people with disabilities.
Who We Are
Darko Athletics Team
Project coordinator
Based in Sofia, Darko Athletics is one of Bulgaria’s leading athletics clubs. Every day, over 300 members train in six venues, including the national stadium “Vasil Levski.” The club organizes camps, competitions, and seminars, with a mission to make sport inclusive, green, and accessible. Darko works with children and adults from all backgrounds—including youth with disabilities.
KINITIKO ERGASTIRI
Experts in adapted sport and recreation
Founded in Athens in 2012, this non-profit organization is a leader in therapeutic recreation for people with disabilities. They provide year-round adapted physical activities and sport programs that improve the quality of life for children, youth, and their families. Their professional team brings strong experience in grassroots inclusion and European project implementation.
Aktif Spor Kulubu
Driving inclusion for marginalized groups
Based in Çanakkale, Aktif works with youth with disabilities, asylum seekers, and minorities through sport and arts. The club runs youth projects, educational workshops, and advocacy campaigns focused on human rights, democracy, and social participation. With trained first aid volunteers and strong links to schools and civil society, they build bridges where they’re needed most.
Asociația Troianul Suntem Noi
Community changemakers from rural Romania
Newly established in 2024 in Troianul, one of Romania’s most disadvantaged regions, this grassroots NGO supports the personal and social development of local youth. They focus on inclusion, sport, and opportunity—especially for those facing economic hardship. Through this project, they bring fresh energy and local action to the European stage.
Together, we are changing the meaning of sport—making it more inclusive, respectful, and human.
Our Impact
Through our collaborative efforts, we're creating measurable change in how sports organisations approach inclusion. Our work doesn't just impact individual participants—it transforms entire communities and sporting cultures.
Bridge Gaps
We shorten the distance between sports clubs and disabled youth
Fight Discrimination
We reduce prejudice through shared experience, not preaching
Develop Leaders
We help coaches become champions of tolerance and empathy
Create Belonging
We build spaces where winning isn't the goal—belonging is
Our Network
Are you a coach, club, or local sports organisation interested in making athletics more inclusive? We invite you to join our growing community of changemakers across Europe. Together, we can transform sports culture and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate and thrive.
The strength of our initiative lies in collaboration with diverse sports clubs, associations, and community organizations across Europe. Together, we're building a more inclusive athletic landscape.
Our partners range from grassroots community initiatives to established sports federations, all committed to making athletics accessible to everyone regardless of ability or background.
Gallery
Experience the joy, determination and connection from our inclusive athletics events across Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Romania. These images capture the essence of our work: bringing people together, challenging perceptions, and celebrating the power of sport to unite communities.
News & Events
Stay updated with our latest activities across Europe as we build bridges through sport.

First Transnational Project Meeting in Sofia: A Strong Start for Inclusion in Sport

On 23 March 2025, the Athletics for Inclusion and Tolerance project officially kicked off with its first transnational meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria. Hosted by the project coordinator Darko Athletics Team, the meeting brought together partners from Greece (Kinitiko Ergastiri), Romania (Asociatia Troianul Suntem Noi), and Turkey (Aktif Gençlik ve Spor Kulübü). The event took place at St. George Private School, one of the training bases of the Darko team. After a warm welcome and introductions, the partners explored the sports facilities and began their work on the project. The coordinator presented the main goals, timeline, and partner responsibilities, creating a strong foundation for teamwork and clarity. Over lunch and in strategy discussions, partners also shared lessons from past Erasmus+ projects. The team showed strong motivation to work closely together and make sure the project’s activities are meaningful and effective.

Inclusion in Action: Promoting Athletics for All in Sofia

On 8 June 2025, the Darko Athletics Team promoted the Athletics for Inclusion and Tolerance project during one of its most joyful events—the Family Relays in Sofia. Held at the national athletics base, the event gathered children, parents, and sports enthusiasts of all ages to celebrate movement, community, and inclusion. The relay format, already popular among families and schools, offered the perfect opportunity to share the values of the project with a broad and diverse audience. Through a fun, friendly, and non-competitive atmosphere, everyone was reminded that sport truly is for all—regardless of age, ability, or background. Throughout the day, the Darko Athletics Team introduced the goals of the Athletics for Inclusion and Tolerance project. The team presented the idea of creating inclusive athletics events where children with and without disabilities train together, guided by coaches who promote empathy, equality, and friendship. Visitors learned about the project’s upcoming sports events, video lessons, and the plan to build a digital network of inclusive sports clubs. Many expressed interest in joining future activities and supporting its mission. The event also served as a real-life example of what inclusion looks like in action: parents and children running together, volunteers supporting participants of different abilities, and athletes encouraging one another across generations and experiences. This was the first public promotion of the project in Bulgaria and a meaningful step toward raising awareness about disability inclusion in sport. The positive energy and engagement from the participants reflect the project’s core belief: that athletics can be a bridge—not a barrier. The Athletics for Inclusion and Tolerance project continues with many more activities ahead, and this event set a strong tone for what’s to come.

Second Transnational Project Meeting in Athens

The second transnational meeting of the Athletics for Inclusion and Tolerance project was held on 26–27 June 2025 in Athens, Greece, hosted by our dedicated partners from KINITIKO ERGASTIRI. The event gathered representatives from Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey to deepen their collaboration and move forward with developing inclusive sports activities across Europe. The first day began with a series of working sessions where partners reviewed the results of the international survey conducted among over 200 sports professionals. The Bulgarian team presented the key conclusions, which highlighted common barriers and needs related to disability inclusion in grassroots sport. This was followed by a presentation from the Greek hosts, sharing national experience and good practices in adapted athletics. In the afternoon of the first day, the group participated in a powerful practical training session held at the Dimotiko Athlitiko Kentro Stivou Ilioupoleos “Chalikaki”. Led by coach Konstantina, the session brought together children with and without disabilities who trained side by side in small teams. Together, they warmed up using resistance rings, did stretching exercises, and engaged in activities like vortex throwing, team races, and long jump in the sand. The session demonstrated in practice the values of inclusion, respect, and cooperation that the project promotes. On the second day, the partners continued working on the development of the project methodology, including the upcoming national sports events and the filming of video lessons. The Greek team presented further guidelines on how to conduct inclusive events and shared advice for ensuring accessibility, fun, and safety. The Athens meeting was a major step forward in the Athletics for Inclusion and Tolerance journey. It combined knowledge-sharing, real-life inclusion, and strategic planning—proving once again that sport can be a powerful tool to bring people together.

Co-funded by the European Union
Erasmus+ Programme
Athletics for Inclusion and Tolerance is proudly co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, supporting education, training, youth and sport across Europe.
Project Details
Project ID: 101183571
Duration: 18 months
Focus: Inclusive athletics, disability rights, youth empowerment
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.