Български
EGSID
EGSID Concludes with Conference in Tirana
12.09.2026
From 9 to 12 September 2026, an international partners’ meeting and conference for the EGSID project – Empowering Grassroots Sport through Inclusion and Digitalisation – took place in Tirana, Albania. The closing conference brought together representatives of the partner organisations, academic experts and sports professionals, who reflected on the work carried out, shared experiences and discussed opportunities for the sustainable implementation of the project’s results. The closing event was hosted by the European University of Tirana, with the agenda covering the key stages of the project’s development – from its launch and implemented activities to the results and experience gained by the partners across the participating countries.
During the conference, the key activities and achievements of EGSID were presented, along with the experience gained through the project’s training activities. Participants discussed the importance of inclusion, digitalisation and the development of grassroots sport as key factors in creating a more accessible, modern and sustainable sports environment. One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation of the Bulgarian sports development association (BSDA)’s involvement in the project. On behalf of the organisation, Ivaylo Zdravkov presented the main activities implemented, the results achieved and the practical experience gained throughout the project. He highlighted BSDA’s active role in achieving the project’s objectives, as well as the organisation’s contribution to sharing experience, knowledge and good practices with partners from different European countries.
Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the experiences of all project partners – the European University of Tirana, University of Elbasan “Aleksandër Xhuvani”, BSDA, PEPA Football Academy and Deportivo de La Coruña. Each organisation presented its role in the project, the initiatives it implemented and the key results of the joint work. Particular attention was given to the practical aspects of the project training activities and to the opportunities for continuing to use the knowledge gained and approaches developed beyond the official end of the project. The final part of the conference featured an open discussion among the partners, providing an opportunity to share reflections, summarise lessons learned and explore future opportunities for cooperation.
The final meeting in Tirana demonstrated that international partnerships are one of the key tools for the development of sport. By bringing together expertise from academia, sports organisations and practitioners, the EGSID project contributed to promoting a more inclusive, digital and future-oriented approach to sport. For BSDA, participation in the closing conference was an opportunity to present the achievements made in Bulgaria, share its experience with international partners and reaffirm its commitment to developing sport as a tool for education, social inclusion, equal opportunities and sustainable development.
Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the experiences of all project partners – the European University of Tirana, University of Elbasan “Aleksandër Xhuvani”, BSDA, PEPA Football Academy and Deportivo de La Coruña. Each organisation presented its role in the project, the initiatives it implemented and the key results of the joint work. Particular attention was given to the practical aspects of the project training activities and to the opportunities for continuing to use the knowledge gained and approaches developed beyond the official end of the project. The final part of the conference featured an open discussion among the partners, providing an opportunity to share reflections, summarise lessons learned and explore future opportunities for cooperation.
The final meeting in Tirana demonstrated that international partnerships are one of the key tools for the development of sport. By bringing together expertise from academia, sports organisations and practitioners, the EGSID project contributed to promoting a more inclusive, digital and future-oriented approach to sport. For BSDA, participation in the closing conference was an opportunity to present the achievements made in Bulgaria, share its experience with international partners and reaffirm its commitment to developing sport as a tool for education, social inclusion, equal opportunities and sustainable development.
