TITLE: Inclusive Swimming Competition (ISC) – Beyond Handicaps
DATES: 01/10/23 – 30/09/25
IMPORTANT LINKS: Facebook – Instagram
PARTNERS:
1. SAKARYA GENÇLİK VE SPOR İL MÜDÜRLÜĞÜ, Turkey – Coordinator
2. KARASU GENÇLİK SANAT VE SPOR KULÜBÜ DERNEĞİ, Turkey – Partner
3. BG AND SPORTS FOR ALL, Bulgaria -Partner
4. SILLOGOS PROSARMOSMENIS ASKISIS KAI ANAPSYXIS KINI, Greece -Partner
5. L’ORMA SSD ARL, Italy – Partner
6. COFAC COOPERATIVA DE FORMAÇÃO E ANIMAÇÃO CULT, Portugal – Partner
7. FEDERAÇÃO PORTUGUESA DE NATAÇÃO, Portugal – Partner
DESCRIPTION
Sport has a unique power to transcend linguistic, cultural, and social barriers, making it an ideal platform for inclusion and adaptation. Building on this, the “Inclusive Swimming Competition – Beyond Handicaps” project brings together physically disabled and non-disabled children (ages 10–14) to promote inclusion, physical activity, and mutual understanding through swimming.
The project encourages sports clubs to pair disabled and non-disabled children in the pool, creating an equal and supportive environment where they can train, interact, and compete together. By working as pairs, the children improve their fitness, social skills, and confidence while fostering empathy and breaking down barriers between them.
A comprehensive Inclusive Swimming Competition Program — developed with the support of a university and swimming federation — provides clubs and coaches with the tools and methods to run inclusive training sessions. These include structured activities, pedagogical guidance, and competition formats for mixed-ability pairs.
The initiative culminates in both local and international swimming competitions where pairs of disabled and non-disabled children compete side by side — showcasing what children can achieve together, and inspiring greater inclusivity in sports.
