EXTENT OF INCLUSION IN ERASMUS+ SPORT PROJECTS

ABSTRACT Since the 1960s, the Council of Europe has developed recommendations and resolutions ensuring full participation of persons with disabilities into social and sport life. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are the elements that shape sports in the last decade. The right of people with disabilities to participate in recreational or sporting activities on equal terms as other populations through an inclusive approach is emphasized in the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In 2021’s Briefing of the European Parliament is stated that there is a lack of centralized data collection on the participation of people with disabilities in sports at the European Union level. The Erasmus+ Sport program provides funding for sports actions, including the development of inclusive policies aiming to remove barriers and improve the participation of people with disabilities in sports. This study aims to explore the extent of inclusion of persons with disabilities in sports among the Erasmus+ Sport projects co-funded until 2020. Using a secondary research method, we analyzed data extracted from Annual reports, Compendiums, and other official European and stakeholder publications, the European Commission Erasmus+ Project Results Platform. As a result, 515 sport-related projects were identified. Applying secondary selection criteria related to disabilities and sports led to 41 projects focusing on inclusion. Development of inclusive sport policy and supporting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in sports is a long-standing demand, and a great amount of expectations are linked with Erasmus+ Sport. Despite being a funding mechanism, the Program provides an opportunity for the implementation of priorities identified in the Work Plan for Sport. Participation in projects provides opportunities for sports organizations to implement the latest European policies aligned with different aspects regarding the rights of persons with disabilities associated with sports.