Български
Bet on Sport
BSDA took part in European Week of Sport 2026
26.09.2026
On September 26th, 2026, the area in front of the National Palace of Culture in Sofia was transformed into a large sports arena as part of the European Week of Sport #BeActive. The agenda kicked off in the morning with the international breakdance tournament “Break the Limits.” In the afternoon, the #BeActive Sports Village brought together sports federations, clubs, and organisations, offering visitors demonstrations and the opportunity to discover more than 45 different sports. The day continued with the #BeActive Night of Sport.
Bulgarian sports development association (BSDA) once again took part in the initiative, with this year’s participation placing a special focus on sport as a tool for social inclusion, empowerment, and the development of people and organisations in the sports sector.
Among the initiatives presented and supported by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme was Bet on Sport – Combating Sports-Gambling Addiction through Sports, a European programme that uses sport and physical activity as complementary tools in the prevention, treatment, and recovery from gambling and sports-betting addiction. The project brings together organisations from seven European countries and aims to strengthen the skills and capacities of professionals in the sports and healthcare sectors so they can work together to support people affected by gambling addiction.
Visitors also learned more about BSDA’s ongoing work in the field of inclusive sport. One of the initiatives presented was #SPORT – Strengthening Potentials through Opportunities, Respect, and Team-spirit, which focuses on people with intellectual disabilities in Bulgaria and Turkey. The project combines sports activities and international camps with capacity-building for coaches and sports administrators, equipping them to implement adapted and inclusive sports practices.
Another initiative showcased was #BeActiveTogether, which promotes the inclusion and social participation of people with intellectual disabilities through athletics. The initiative combines national and international sports activities with practical tools for professionals who use sport as a means of empowerment, social inclusion, and creating opportunities without barriers.
The presentation also featured Beyond Barriers: Making Inclusive Sports Visible, an initiative aimed at sports and civil society organisations working with people with disabilities. It focuses on an often-overlooked aspect of inclusive sport: organisations’ ability to make their work more visible, tell their stories more effectively, engage with the media, attract support, and plan for sustainable development.
BSDA also presented #EmpowerSport, a capacity-building programme in the field of sport that provides sports professionals with opportunities for training, international mobility, and the exchange of good practices. In August 2026, 29 Bulgarian sports experts, youth workers, and physical education teachers took part in a training course in Sakarya, Turkey, focused on adapted sports and practical work with people with disabilities. The programme will continue until 2027.
BSDA’s participation in the #BeActive Sports Village is part of the organisation’s long-standing commitment to the European Week of Sport and to creating a more accessible and inclusive sporting environment. It also reflects BSDA’s broader European commitment to empowering sports organisations and strengthening their capacity to sustainably provide quality sporting opportunities for different groups across society.
BSDA has been involved in the European Week of Sport since its opening on 23 September 2026, which took place in front of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. During the opening event, the organisation presented two more of its current initiatives to citizens and sports organisations. The “Sport Near You” platform, available at www.bulsport.bg, helps bring sport closer to people by making it easier for everyone to find opportunities for sport and physical activity in their local area.
BSDA also presented #UpSkillingCoaches, an initiative supported by the Erasmus+ programme, including its European petition calling for more opportunities for women coaches and a more equal sporting environment.
Among the initiatives presented and supported by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme was Bet on Sport – Combating Sports-Gambling Addiction through Sports, a European programme that uses sport and physical activity as complementary tools in the prevention, treatment, and recovery from gambling and sports-betting addiction. The project brings together organisations from seven European countries and aims to strengthen the skills and capacities of professionals in the sports and healthcare sectors so they can work together to support people affected by gambling addiction.
Visitors also learned more about BSDA’s ongoing work in the field of inclusive sport. One of the initiatives presented was #SPORT – Strengthening Potentials through Opportunities, Respect, and Team-spirit, which focuses on people with intellectual disabilities in Bulgaria and Turkey. The project combines sports activities and international camps with capacity-building for coaches and sports administrators, equipping them to implement adapted and inclusive sports practices.
Another initiative showcased was #BeActiveTogether, which promotes the inclusion and social participation of people with intellectual disabilities through athletics. The initiative combines national and international sports activities with practical tools for professionals who use sport as a means of empowerment, social inclusion, and creating opportunities without barriers.
The presentation also featured Beyond Barriers: Making Inclusive Sports Visible, an initiative aimed at sports and civil society organisations working with people with disabilities. It focuses on an often-overlooked aspect of inclusive sport: organisations’ ability to make their work more visible, tell their stories more effectively, engage with the media, attract support, and plan for sustainable development.
BSDA also presented #EmpowerSport, a capacity-building programme in the field of sport that provides sports professionals with opportunities for training, international mobility, and the exchange of good practices. In August 2026, 29 Bulgarian sports experts, youth workers, and physical education teachers took part in a training course in Sakarya, Turkey, focused on adapted sports and practical work with people with disabilities. The programme will continue until 2027.
BSDA’s participation in the #BeActive Sports Village is part of the organisation’s long-standing commitment to the European Week of Sport and to creating a more accessible and inclusive sporting environment. It also reflects BSDA’s broader European commitment to empowering sports organisations and strengthening their capacity to sustainably provide quality sporting opportunities for different groups across society.
BSDA has been involved in the European Week of Sport since its opening on 23 September 2026, which took place in front of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. During the opening event, the organisation presented two more of its current initiatives to citizens and sports organisations. The “Sport Near You” platform, available at www.bulsport.bg, helps bring sport closer to people by making it easier for everyone to find opportunities for sport and physical activity in their local area.
BSDA also presented #UpSkillingCoaches, an initiative supported by the Erasmus+ programme, including its European petition calling for more opportunities for women coaches and a more equal sporting environment.
