Български
IOFA project
Pilot IOFA Trail O Event in Sofia
09.04.2025
Today, April 9, 2025, a pilot Trail O orienteering event took place in the park of the National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski." The event is part of the Inclusive Orienteering for All (IOFA) project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme. The initiative was attended by children from schools in the territory of the Student City district (8th School “Vasil Levski” and Professional High School of Telecommunications), who were introduced to the basics of orienteering and the challenges of the Trail O discipline.
Trail O is a special form of orienteering that emphasizes observation, logical thinking, and terrain analysis rather than physical endurance. This makes it fully accessible to people with varying physical abilities, including those with mobility difficulties.
During the event, participants navigated a specially designed route with control points where they had to make precise decisions based on maps and terrain descriptions. In addition to the practical experience, students learned about the significance of orienteering as an inclusive sport and how it can be used to enhance cognitive and analytical skills.
The IOFA project brings together organizations from Croatia, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Hungary, with the goal of developing and promoting orienteering as an inclusive sport. In Bulgaria, the initiative is coordinated by the Bulgarian sports development association and was conducted in partnership with the Local Commission for Combating Antisocial Behaviors of Minors – Mladost. Beyond organizing practical events, the project also envisions the development of educational materials for schools, sports clubs, and organizations working with people with disabilities.
During the event, participants navigated a specially designed route with control points where they had to make precise decisions based on maps and terrain descriptions. In addition to the practical experience, students learned about the significance of orienteering as an inclusive sport and how it can be used to enhance cognitive and analytical skills.
The IOFA project brings together organizations from Croatia, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Hungary, with the goal of developing and promoting orienteering as an inclusive sport. In Bulgaria, the initiative is coordinated by the Bulgarian sports development association and was conducted in partnership with the Local Commission for Combating Antisocial Behaviors of Minors – Mladost. Beyond organizing practical events, the project also envisions the development of educational materials for schools, sports clubs, and organizations working with people with disabilities.
