SMS: Strong Mind for Success

On the 16th of December 2024, the annual edition of the Sport Info Days took place at the European Commission building in Brussels, providing detailed information on the opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ sport strand to promote sport and physical activity at local, regional and national level. The event brought together 500 sports experts and was opened by Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport: "Sport is a pillar of inclusion in our societies and democracies, driving positive change for the better.

In the period 05-08 December 2024, Milan, Italy, hosted the final partners' meeting of the SMS – Strong Mind for Success initiative. #SMS is an Erasmus Plus co-funded initiative aiming to build capacity in sport organizations nowadays in the field of mental care awareness and care towards youth athletes. Strong Mind for Success project focuses on delivering innovative education on how mental well-being can contribute to the successful development of young football players in Bulgaria, Italy, and Slovenia.

On the 2nd of October 2024, coaches, students and young football players from the “Vasil Levski” NSA School officially started their training sessions in support of the SMS – Strong Mind for Success initiative. During the event the participants received specially developed #SMS handbooks created within the project. These handbooks provide important mental health resources and are aimed at raising awareness of the importance of mental wellbeing among young athletes.

The European Week of Sport #BeActive takes place annually between 23 and 30 September, and during its 10th edition, which took place in 2024, all residents and guests of Sofia had the opportunity to be part of the biggest sports celebration in Europe. The European Week of Sport is an initiative of the European Commission that has been taking place in September across Europe since 2015. The week, which takes the form of an awareness-raising campaign, promotes the many benefits of sport and physical activity and is open to all, regardless of age, background or physical condition.

On the 11th of September 2024, Joanna Dochevska, representative of Bulgarian sports development association (BSDA) took part in the annual SHARE 2.0 conference, which took place in Brussels, Belgium. The event brought together leading experts and organisations from different sectors to discuss the future of sport, innovation and sustainable development. The conference opened with a welcome address by Normunds Poppens, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC), and continued with a series of interactive sessions and small group discussions covering topics such as youth mental health, digitalisation in sport and environmental action in sports organisations.

On the 28th of August 2024, the “Vasil Levski” National Sports Academy women's team officially started its preparations for the 2024/25 season with the support of the SMS – Strong Mind for Success initiative. Head Coach Valentina Gospodinova, 17-time champion of Bulgaria and former national athlete, presented the #SMS – Strong Mind for Success handbook to the team. This resource aims to support the mental health of the young players and is going to be a key element in their preparation for upcoming matches, including the upcoming match against Ludogorets 1945 and their participation in the Women's Champions League. We wish success to the champions of “Vasil Levski” National Sports Academy!

-Introducing the SMS Strong Mind for Success Handbook We are thrilled to present the #SMS – Strong Mind for Success Handbook, an essential resource designed to support the mental health of young football players. This comprehensive guide delves into the significance of mental well-being in sports and offers valuable insights, practical exercises, and tools for athletes, parents, and coaches alike.

On July 12, 2024 in the Kremikovski Monastery "St. George the Victorious", within the summer camp in the monastery, a sports event was held within the SMS – Strong Mind for Success project. The event was attended by children and young people who had the opportunity to learn more about the power of sport as a means to overcome mental health challenges for young people.

On the 8th of June, 2024, the women's team of NSA Vasil Levski finished the season in a fitting way, defeating rivals Sofia Ladies with a score of 10:0 in a match of the last 26th round of the women's football championship. The girls, led by head coach Valentina Gospodinova – 16-time champion of Bulgaria with NSA Vasil Levski and with over 100 international matches for the national teams of Bulgaria (girls and women), supported the SMS – Strong Mind for Success initiative.

In the period 15-18 of May 2024 in Solkan and Ajdovščina, Slovenia has been held the mid-term partners meeting of the initiative SMS - Strong Mind for Success. #SMS is an Erasmus Plus co-funded initiative aiming to build capacity in sport organizations nowadays in the field of mental care awareness and care towards youth athletes. Strong Mind for Success project will deliver innovative education on how mental health can contribute for the successful development of young football players in Bulgaria, Italy and Slovenia.

May 9, 2024 marks the 17th anniversary of Bulgaria's membership in the European Union. Our country joined the European family in 2007, believing in the words of one of the founding fathers of the EU, Jean Monnet, "There is no future for the people of Europe other than in union". On May 9, 2024, from 10.00. until 12.00, in Zaimov Park, a sports holiday and celebration of Europe Day was held, which was attended by children from the capital kindergartens: Kindergarten 8 "Prof. Dr. Elka Petrova" with Director – Mrs. Velichka Popova; Kindergarten 100 "Acad. Pencho Raykov" with director – Mrs. Zlatka Atanasova; Kindergarten 104 "Moyat Svyat" with director – Mrs. Rumyana Ilieva; Kindergarten 191 "Prikazka bez krai" with director – Mrs. Slava Vassileva, Kindergarten 195 " Mormarevi Brothers " with director – Mrs. Albena Tsocheva. The host of the event was Nadezhda Panayotova, the Bulgarian voice of one of the favourite Disney cartoon characters – Elsa from Frozen.

The Strong Mind for Success #SMS National Training Workshop took place in Sofia, Bulgaria in the period 20 – 21 February 2024 and provided youth and athletes with the opportunity to improve their knowledge on the topic of mental health, while providing a platform for networking for future activities. The #SMS workshop was dedicated to educating young footballers on mental health and how a holistic approach can be applied to their professional development. The training included lectures as well as workshops in which participants actively discussed the topic.

On January 30, 2024, in the building of the European Commission in Brussels, the annual edition of the Sport Info Day was held, during which detailed information about the opportunities offered by the sports sector of the Erasmus+ programme to promote sports and physical activity at local, regional and national level was provided. The event brought together over 700 sports experts and was opened by Iliana Ivanova – European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth: “I am convinced that our community can have a greater impact than ever at this critical time for Europe – and for the European sport. Harnessing the power of sport to continue the positive transformation of our societies, in 2024 we renew the EU Work Plan for Sport and support positive change with €51 million and over 300 projects across Europe".

The Bulgarian Sports Development Association joined efforts with Special Olympics Bulgaria, the "ProSport" Foundation, and the European Law Society and participated in the annual conference "Sport - a Tool for Social Inclusion." The event, held on December 5, 2023, at the Vitosha Park Hotel in Sofia, aimed to raise crucial issues regarding the role of sports as a means for social integration and improving quality of life. The conference aimed to stimulate discussions among various stakeholders in the sports sector, including public institutions, sports federations, clubs, sports service providers, schools, municipalities, and regulatory bodies.

The international seminar "Strong Mind for Success" #SMS was held in Sofia, Bulgaria from October 9th to 12th, 2023, offering participants from Bulgaria, Italy, and Slovenia the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in the field of young athletes' mental health, while providing a platform for future networking activities. Each partner organization (Bulgaria, Italy, Slovenia) participated with 6 individuals - 1 project manager + 5 football players/country (participants aged 13 to 18 years old).

The #BeActive European Week of Sport took place between September 23 and 30, 2023, with all residents and guests of Sofia having the opportunity to become part of the largest sports celebration in Europe. The European Week of Sport is an initiative of the European Commission, held in September throughout Europe since 2015. Through the week, conducted in the form of a campaign to promote physical activity, the numerous benefits of sports and physical activity are popularized, and everyone, regardless of age, origin, or physical condition, can participate in it.

Augmented reality is an interactive experience that enhances the real world with computer-generated perceptual information. Using software, apps, and hardware such as AR glasses, augmented reality overlays digital content onto real-life environments and objects. “Strong Mind for Success” is an ErasmusPlus co-funded initiative aiming to build capacity in sport organizations nowadays in the field of mental care awareness and care towards youth athletes. Strong Mind for Success project will deliver innovative education on how mental health can contribute for the successful development of young football players in Bulgaria, Italy and Slovenia.

On August 23, 2023, at the Granichki Monastery "St. Luke," within the first-ever summer camp organized by the Sunday School at the "Nativity of Christ" church, the Sunday School at the "St. Martyr Paraskeva" church, the Association of Bulgarians with Allergic and Lung Diseases, and the Theatrical Company "Empty Space," a sports event took place as part of the SMS - Strong Mind for Success project. The event was joined by children and youth who had the opportunity to explore the power of sports in overcoming challenges to the mental health of young people.

On August 19, 2023, at Kremikovsky Monastery "St. George the Victorious," a sports event was held as part of the summer camp at the monastery within the framework of the SMS – Strong Mind for Success project. Children and youth participated in the event, getting the chance to discover the power of sports in overcoming challenges to mental well-being.

- Explore “Mind in the Game: Nurturing Mental Well-being in Football” Podcast Greetings, football enthusiasts! Are you ready to take your game to the next level? Look no further than the “Mind in the Game” podcast, a thought-provoking series crafted by the “Strong Mind for Success” initiative, co-funded by Erasmus Plus.

On June 3, 2023, for another year, Familathlon – the largest outdoor celebration dedicated to sports and entertainment, gathered hundreds of citizens and guests of the city of Sofia on the large meadow in South Park. Bulgarian sports development association actively participated in the event, presenting the activities of the current initiatives, that are co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union:

Mental health is a critical aspect of our overall well-being and affects our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. For young people, maintaining good mental health is essential to their personal development and future success. One way to keep track of mental health is through journaling.

In the period 27.02 – 02.03.2023 in Sofia, Bulgaria has been held the first partner meeting of the initiative SMS - Strong Mind for Success. #SMS is an Erasmus Plus co-funded initiative aiming to build capacity in sport organizations nowadays in the field of mental care awareness and care towards youth athletes. Strong Mind for Success project will deliver innovative education on how mental health can contribute for the successful development of young football players in Bulgaria, Italy and Slovenia. During the international meeting the partners had the chance to visit National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski” and National Football Base in Boyana.

On January 30, 2023, in the building of the European Commission in Brussels, the annual edition of the Sport Info Day was held, during which detailed information was provided about the opportunities offered by the sports sector of the Erasmus+ programme to promote sports and physical activity at local, regional and national level. The event brought together over 500 sports experts and was opened by Maria Gabriel – European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

On the 23rd of January 2023, an online meeting was held between the coordinators of projects starting in 2023, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Sport programme and representatives of the Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), which manages the Union's funding for education, culture, audiovisual, sport, citizenship and volunteering.

“Strong Mind for Success” is an Erasmus Plus co-funded initiative aiming to build capacity in sport organizations nowadays in the field of mental care awareness and care towards youth athletes. Strong Mind for Success project will deliver innovative education on how mental health can contribute for the successful development of young football players in Bulgaria, Italy and Slovenia. This project will use the knowledge gathered from the results of the objectives and policies from the European Action Plans on Mental Health and will focus on educating young football players on mental health awareness.