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IOFA project
IOFA Inclusive Orienteering Training in Cyprus
05.11.2024
In the period 1-5 November 2024, an international training on Inclusive Orienteering took place in Larnaca, Cyprus, as part of the "IOFA – Inclusive Orienteering for All" project. The event brought together five sport experts in orienteering and adapted sports, from each of the partner countries, in order to develop their skills in Trail Orienteering (Trail-O) and broaden their understanding of inclusive sport practices.
The IOFA project, which is supported by the Erasmus+ programme, aims to make orienteering more accessible and inclusive for all, especially for people with disabilities and the sports organisations working with them. Through this training, participants had the opportunity to gain valuable skills to organise inclusive events and attract a wide audience to the sport.
The training, supported by the World Orienteering Federation, started with a focus on the fundamentals of Trail Orienteering (Trail-O) and the importance of inclusion in sport. During the first day, participants were introduced to the basic techniques of Trail-O and also learned about the goals of the IOFA project, which seeks to make orienteering more accessible and inclusive for all, especially for people with disabilities. On the second day, the agenda focused on developing organisational and inclusive event management skills. Participants learned how to plan and manage safe and accessible events that attract and involve diverse communities and stakeholders. Emphasis was placed on the importance of safety standards and accessibility measures in inclusive sport events. The third day was dedicated to marketing and promoting Trail-O events. Participants learned about effective marketing strategies they can use to attract a wider audience. The training ended with a practical workshop where participants created their own marketing plans for future events.
The Bulgarian representatives who took part on behalf of Bulgarian sport development association, a partner in the initiative were Ivelina Kirilova (leader of the group), Radoslav Agovski, Apostol Atanasov, Gizem Mazlamova, Joanna Karapetridu, Elitsa Atanasova. The "IOFA – Inclusive Orienteering for All" project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and brings together organisations from Croatia, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Hungary, each with specific knowledge and experience in promoting inclusion and/or orienteering.
The training, supported by the World Orienteering Federation, started with a focus on the fundamentals of Trail Orienteering (Trail-O) and the importance of inclusion in sport. During the first day, participants were introduced to the basic techniques of Trail-O and also learned about the goals of the IOFA project, which seeks to make orienteering more accessible and inclusive for all, especially for people with disabilities. On the second day, the agenda focused on developing organisational and inclusive event management skills. Participants learned how to plan and manage safe and accessible events that attract and involve diverse communities and stakeholders. Emphasis was placed on the importance of safety standards and accessibility measures in inclusive sport events. The third day was dedicated to marketing and promoting Trail-O events. Participants learned about effective marketing strategies they can use to attract a wider audience. The training ended with a practical workshop where participants created their own marketing plans for future events.
The Bulgarian representatives who took part on behalf of Bulgarian sport development association, a partner in the initiative were Ivelina Kirilova (leader of the group), Radoslav Agovski, Apostol Atanasov, Gizem Mazlamova, Joanna Karapetridu, Elitsa Atanasova. The "IOFA – Inclusive Orienteering for All" project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and brings together organisations from Croatia, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Hungary, each with specific knowledge and experience in promoting inclusion and/or orienteering.
