Bottom-up Sport Partnership

Background According to the EUROSTAT research of December 2017 and about functional and activity limitations in Europe, 24.3 % of the population aged 16 and over reported (some or severe) long-standing limitations in their usual activities due to health problems. During these three years’ project, we have addressed these limitations by supporting sector oriented organizations, producing reports, informing policy makers and by organizing pilot activities for People with Disabilities (PwD). Objectives B-SPORTS+ brought together leading bodies from an enlarged sphere of audiences to: 1. Activate cross-sectoral cooperation to promote healthy lifestyles2. Design PwD oriented Capacity Building Programmes3. Generate knowledge and innovative strategies through research and comparative studies to raise awareness on health-enhancing physical activity4. Examining PwD specific needs related to habits, barriers and access to assistive technologies Implementation An exhaustive research, which combined desk and field methods and involved more than 600 people among professionals and PwD and the revision of 360 articles, was conducted. With these data partners designed and tested a collection of experiences to tackle barriers that prevent PwD from being active and created the Capacity Building Provision. Throughout the process, a Network was created with more than 1800 stakeholders who supported partners to benefit to more than 100.000 people. Achievements In addition of bringing knowledge and providing country-based recommendations and specific policy actions, we have identified factors and barriers which impact on sport participation of PwD. Accordingly, we have developed, designed, implemented, monitored and transferred HEPA programmes to any organization and clarified the potential of assistive technology in activating PwD. BSPORT+ has created a Community of Practice and designed and tested effective Capacity Building Programmes.