Български
Beyond Barriers
BSDA will coordinate Beyond Barriers project
11.11.2025
The Beyond Barriers project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, aims to strengthen the capacity, visibility, and inclusion of sport organizations working with people with disabilities. It recognizes that despite progress in recent years, disability sport in Europe still faces limited visibility, lack of media representation, scarce access to digital tools, and minimal sponsorship support. By improving how these organizations communicate, promote, and position themselves, Beyond Barriers seeks to increase participation, awareness, and long-term sustainability in inclusive sport.
The project acts as a bridge between grassroots disability sport organizations, communication and marketing experts, and European networks, ensuring that the inclusive spirit of sport reaches wider audiences and decision-makers.
Main Objectives
• To enhance visibility of disability sport organizations and athletes with disabilities at national and European level.
• To improve communication, digital, and marketing skills within sport organizations to attract sponsors, partners, and media coverage.
• To promote inclusion and equal opportunities by breaking stereotypes and changing public perception of disability in sport.
• To build transnational cooperation and exchange of good practices among organizations dedicated to inclusion through sport.
• To contribute to the EU policy priorities on social inclusion, equal access to sport, and digital transformation.
Key Activities
1. Research and Mapping of Current Practices
Each partner country will collect and analyze data on communication and visibility strategies used by sport organizations for athletes with disabilities. The comparative report will identify gaps, needs, and opportunities for development.
2. Capacity-Building Programme
A set of training sessions, workshops, and online resources will be designed to help clubs and associations improve their outreach, media presence, and sponsorship communication.
Topics will include digital storytelling, social-media management, inclusive marketing, and partnership building.
3. Development of the Beyond Barriers Toolkit
The Toolkit will compile best practices, guidelines, and visual communication templates to support organizations in promoting disability sport more effectively. It will be freely available and easily adaptable for local use.
4. Awareness and Visibility Campaign
A coordinated European campaign will showcase inspiring stories of athletes with disabilities, successful inclusion initiatives, and examples of good communication.
The campaign will use social media, short videos, and storytelling formats to strengthen the public image of inclusive sport.
5. Final Conference and Networking Event
The project will conclude with a European event bringing together stakeholders, experts, sponsors, and policymakers to share results, promote cooperation, and explore sustainability options for future actions.
Expected Deliverables
• Comparative Research Report on the communication and visibility landscape of disability sport;
• Training Programme and Toolkit for sport organizations;
• Transnational Awareness Campaign promoting inclusion and visibility of athletes with disabilities;
• European Networking Event presenting results and best practices;
• Digital communication materials (videos, visuals, guides) to support long-term use and dissemination.
Impact
For sport organizations:
They will gain concrete knowledge and tools to communicate effectively, attract new partners and media interest, and ensure sustainable participation of people with disabilities in sport.
For athletes with disabilities:
Improved visibility will help reduce stigma, promote role models, and increase access to opportunities in sport and society.
For communities and media:
By presenting inclusive stories and accessible sport events, the project will reshape attitudes toward disability and reinforce the value of equality, diversity, and respect.
At European level:
Beyond Barriers contributes directly to the EU Work Plan for Sport (2021-2027) and the European Disability Strategy, promoting sport as a driver for social inclusion, participation, and digital progress.
The project’s results – particularly the Toolkit, training resources, and campaign materials – will remain publicly available to support ongoing initiatives. The Beyond Barriers consortium consists of two experienced organizations – the Bulgarian Sports Development Association (BSDA) and AETOI Thessalonikis (Greece) – working together to empower inclusive sports organizations through capacity building, digital visibility, and sustainable development initiatives. Partners will continue working within a transnational network to advocate for inclusion, foster cooperation, and ensure that people with disabilities are visible, valued, and active members of the European sport community.
Main Objectives
• To enhance visibility of disability sport organizations and athletes with disabilities at national and European level.
• To improve communication, digital, and marketing skills within sport organizations to attract sponsors, partners, and media coverage.
• To promote inclusion and equal opportunities by breaking stereotypes and changing public perception of disability in sport.
• To build transnational cooperation and exchange of good practices among organizations dedicated to inclusion through sport.
• To contribute to the EU policy priorities on social inclusion, equal access to sport, and digital transformation.
Key Activities
1. Research and Mapping of Current Practices
Each partner country will collect and analyze data on communication and visibility strategies used by sport organizations for athletes with disabilities. The comparative report will identify gaps, needs, and opportunities for development.
2. Capacity-Building Programme
A set of training sessions, workshops, and online resources will be designed to help clubs and associations improve their outreach, media presence, and sponsorship communication.
Topics will include digital storytelling, social-media management, inclusive marketing, and partnership building.
3. Development of the Beyond Barriers Toolkit
The Toolkit will compile best practices, guidelines, and visual communication templates to support organizations in promoting disability sport more effectively. It will be freely available and easily adaptable for local use.
4. Awareness and Visibility Campaign
A coordinated European campaign will showcase inspiring stories of athletes with disabilities, successful inclusion initiatives, and examples of good communication.
The campaign will use social media, short videos, and storytelling formats to strengthen the public image of inclusive sport.
5. Final Conference and Networking Event
The project will conclude with a European event bringing together stakeholders, experts, sponsors, and policymakers to share results, promote cooperation, and explore sustainability options for future actions.
Expected Deliverables
• Comparative Research Report on the communication and visibility landscape of disability sport;
• Training Programme and Toolkit for sport organizations;
• Transnational Awareness Campaign promoting inclusion and visibility of athletes with disabilities;
• European Networking Event presenting results and best practices;
• Digital communication materials (videos, visuals, guides) to support long-term use and dissemination.
Impact
For sport organizations:
They will gain concrete knowledge and tools to communicate effectively, attract new partners and media interest, and ensure sustainable participation of people with disabilities in sport.
For athletes with disabilities:
Improved visibility will help reduce stigma, promote role models, and increase access to opportunities in sport and society.
For communities and media:
By presenting inclusive stories and accessible sport events, the project will reshape attitudes toward disability and reinforce the value of equality, diversity, and respect.
At European level:
Beyond Barriers contributes directly to the EU Work Plan for Sport (2021-2027) and the European Disability Strategy, promoting sport as a driver for social inclusion, participation, and digital progress.
The project’s results – particularly the Toolkit, training resources, and campaign materials – will remain publicly available to support ongoing initiatives. The Beyond Barriers consortium consists of two experienced organizations – the Bulgarian Sports Development Association (BSDA) and AETOI Thessalonikis (Greece) – working together to empower inclusive sports organizations through capacity building, digital visibility, and sustainable development initiatives. Partners will continue working within a transnational network to advocate for inclusion, foster cooperation, and ensure that people with disabilities are visible, valued, and active members of the European sport community.
