SWAN Project Partners Gather in Slovenia for In-Person Coordination Meeting

The SWAN project consortium gathered for an onsite coordination meeting on 12-13 December 2025 in Slovenia, hosted by project partner the University of Ljubljana. After a full year of close but primarily remote collaboration, this in-person meeting brought partners together to assess project progress, address challenges, and align on the path forward as the initiative approaches the midpoint of its two-year timeline.

Representatives from all seven partner organisations, including ITTF Foundation’s TT4Health team members, Moncho and Lea, participated in two days of productive discussions focused on evaluating achievements from the first year and preparing for the deliverables and activities ahead.

Year One Deliverables: Implementation and Communication in Focus

A key agenda item was the review of two major deliverables due at the end of the project's first year:

• Implementation Progress Report

Led by PASKA, the report documents the consortium's progress in executing the SWAN project work plan and highlights milestones achieved throughout the initial phase of implementation.

• Updated Communication and Dissemination Plan

Led by ITTF Foundation, this updated plan ensures the consortium continues to effectively raise awareness about the therapeutic benefits of table tennis for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases.

Developing the "Train the Trainer" Toolkit

The majority of the meeting was dedicated to advancing the development of training materials for the "Train the Trainer" toolkit—a cornerstone resource designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to implement table tennis interventions for people with NDDs.

Partners engaged in extensive discussions on the structure of training sessions and the collaborative approach needed to deliver comprehensive content. The dialogue opened up multiple perspectives that required careful synthesis. By the meeting's conclusion, the consortium had developed a cohesive program framework that will enable quality implementation, including:

• Defined content for preparing trainers to deliver effective interventions
• A standardised template for composing intervention programmes
• Clear guidelines on session structure and delivery methods

The Power of In-Person Collaboration

This face-to-face meeting marked a pivotal milestone for the SWAN project. While the consortium had maintained solid coordination through virtual channels throughout the first year, bringing partners together in person proved essential for aligning perspectives and deepening mutual understanding.

The meeting provided renewed momentum as the project transitions into its second year, reinforcing the spirit of cooperation and shared commitment that defines the SWAN initiative. The energy and clarity gained from these two days in Slovenia will undoubtedly strengthen the consortium's ability to deliver impactful results in the months ahead.

We remain dedicated to advancing the SWAN project's mission of promoting active lifestyles through the health benefits of table tennis, and we look forward to sharing continued progress as we work together to bring this innovative health intervention to communities across Europe!