Български
ParaEMPOWER
Training for a stronger Balkan para sport sector was held in Podgorica
30.03.2026
Bulgarian sports development association (BSDA) participated in an international Training of Trainers (ToT) under the ParaEMPOWER project, which is co-funded by Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. The event took place in the period March 27–30, 2026, in Podgorica, Montenegro, bringing together coaches, sports administrators, and representatives from the Paralympic committees of Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, and Greece.
The training aimed to prepare national teams of experts who would deliver local-level training and strengthen the capacity of the para sport sector in their respective countriesBulgarian sports development association is an expert partner in the initiative, while recognized specialists in sports inclusion and management – Stefka Dzhobova, Ivelina Kirilova, and Joanna Dochevska – led the sessions, covering key topics related to inclusion, protection, and the specific needs of para sports.
Participants engaged in an intensive agenda that included skills development, inclusion, safety, and practical exercises designed to apply what they learned in real-world settings. The training also introduced innovative online tools from the ParaEMPOWER project www.paraempower.eu, developed with support from Erasmus+, which will aid the training process and ensure sustainability through access to resources, methodologies, and best practices.
The ParaEMPOWER project seeks to enhance the quality of training for coaches and specialists in para sport while helping overcome social barriers and stereotypes faced by people with disabilities. By using sport as a tool for social change, the initiative promotes more inclusive societies and equal opportunities for all. Following the international training, participants will conduct national-level trainings in their countries, expanding the project’s impact and contributing to the development of a stronger and more inclusive para sport sector in the region.
Participants engaged in an intensive agenda that included skills development, inclusion, safety, and practical exercises designed to apply what they learned in real-world settings. The training also introduced innovative online tools from the ParaEMPOWER project www.paraempower.eu, developed with support from Erasmus+, which will aid the training process and ensure sustainability through access to resources, methodologies, and best practices.
The ParaEMPOWER project seeks to enhance the quality of training for coaches and specialists in para sport while helping overcome social barriers and stereotypes faced by people with disabilities. By using sport as a tool for social change, the initiative promotes more inclusive societies and equal opportunities for all. Following the international training, participants will conduct national-level trainings in their countries, expanding the project’s impact and contributing to the development of a stronger and more inclusive para sport sector in the region.
