INTERACT+ "Sport for All" Capacity Building Workshop in Leipzig: Empowering Community for Inclusion
Last Friday, we hosted an in-person INTERACT+ "Sport for All" Capacity Building Workshop at the University of Leipzig, Faculty of Sports Science. It was the 7th Capacity Building Workshop in a series that has engaged more than 140 participants. As an implementing partner of the INTERACT+ programme, we welcomed participants from diverse sporting backgrounds to engage in meaningful discussions and interactive group activities. Through the workshop, participants were equipped with the knowledge and inspiration to embed the essence of Sport for All into their organisational strategies.
Leipzig Workshop Highlights
INTERACT+ is an initiative led by TAFISA and co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. Building upon its predecessor, INTERACT, this programme provides sports organisations with the tools and resources to increase grassroots participation and integrate Sport for All principles into their strategies. Through a series of capacity-building workshops, both virtual and in-person, INTERACT+ supports sport organisations in fulfilling their societal roles and driving positive change.
The workshop in Leipzig attracted participants from different professional backgrounds and organisations, including Bike Bridge, Leutsche Füchse, the German Flying Disk Federation, and the German Swimming Federation, taking part in this collaborative learning experience designed to inspire action within their respective communities.
Led and facilitated by Mayssa Bsaibes, our TT4ALL Coordinator, and Jörg Benner from the European Flying Disk Federation, the session saw engaging and interactive atmosphere, encouraging participants to explore the concept of Sport for All and develop inclusive, community-driven sport initiatives. With a structured yet dynamic approach, the workshop covered four key modules:
- Sport for All in an International Environment
- Structuring Sport for All within a Sport Organisation
- Designing Sport for All Initiatives
- Operationalising Sport for All within an Organisation
In the theoretical sections, participants explored the concept of Sport for All, its alignment with global frameworks, and the barriers to sports participation faced by marginalised groups. Hands-on exercises, including SWOT analysis, target group mapping, and programme design templates, provided practical tools to help participants implement their ideas.
This was followed by group discussions and collaborative work focused on designing actionable and inclusive sport initiatives, drawing inspiration from successful global Sport for All projects.
By the end of the day, ideas were exchanged, action plans were developed, and valuable networks were established. Participants took home not only with tangible toolkits and resources but also with renewed motivation and insights to advance inclusion in sport.
Continuing the Sport for All Journey
While this workshop has concluded, our commitment to the Sport for All movement continues. The ITTF Foundation, alongside TAFISA and the INTERACT+ programme, remains dedicated to empowering sport organisations to champion inclusion. We invite all participants and stakeholders to keep the momentum going by sharing ideas, experiences, and initiatives. With the continued support of INTERACT+, we will keep working towards a future where sport is truly for all.