European Paralympic Committee (EPC) Delegation Holds Meetings in Türkiye Within the Scope of the EPYG Legacy Initiative

Within the scope of the EPYG Legacy Initiative, launched to strengthen the lasting impact of the European Para Youth Games (EPYG) hosted by Türkiye in July 2025, a delegation from the European Paralympic Committee visited Türkiye. The delegation is preparing a series of events to be held in Türkiye (Istanbul & Adana) during 2026, namely in April, School Program, in May Policy&Development and in October, final Forum. To this end, several technical meetings were held between the EPC delegation, the National Paralympic Committee of Türkiye (NPCT) delegation and the local entities involved in the project. There was also an opportunity to hold several high-level meetings between the EPC delegation and the NPCT delegation to align the governance and advocacy strategy for a long-lasting impact in the promotion of para sport.

The Para School Programme, Implemented with a minimum Target of 100 Schools, Brings a Culture of Inclusive Sport Into Educational Settings

The European Para Youth Games are among the most significant multi-sport events bringing together young para-athletes from across Europe at the international level. In addition to providing young athletes with international experience, the Games create a strong platform for increasing the visibility of para sport and contributing to the development of a culture of inclusive sport. Following Türkiye’s hosting role in July 2025, the EPYG Legacy Initiative was launched in order to transform this impact into a sustainable and structured development model.

In this context, the Paralympic School Programme implemented in Türkiye aims to expand the inclusive sport approach within educational settings, with a target of reaching 100 schools. Within the framework of the programme, theoretical and practical training sessions are being organised for physical education teachers and guidance counsellors. Through teachers who complete these training processes, awareness and practical activities are being delivered in schools with the joint participation of students with and without disabilities. Supported by implementation kits, guidance materials and certification mechanisms, the programme stands out as one of the most important steps in transforming the legacy of EPYG into tangible and sustainable outcomes.

In this regard, a delegation from our project partner, the European Paralympic Committee, visited Türkiye ahead of the workshops to be held in Istanbul on 13-14 April and in Adana on 16-17 April, conducting site visits and coordination meetings. These engagements are of critical importance in terms of assessing the programme preparation process on site, consulting with relevant stakeholders, and reviewing the final planning related to the implementation phase.

National Paralympic Committees to Convene in Istanbul in May for the EPYG Legacy Initiative

In May, meetings and conferences will be held in Istanbul, hosted by the Turkish National Paralympic Committee, with the participation of National Paralympic Committees from across Europe. These gatherings aim to evaluate the implementation model developed in Türkiye and to shape a shared roadmap for scaling up the programme across Europe. In this respect, the meetings represent not only a continuation of the work carried out at national level, but also a strategic platform aimed at generating collective impact at the European level.

The role of the Turkish National Paralympic Committee in this process, together with the European Paralympic Committee, as part of the project’s central hub structure, clearly demonstrates Türkiye’s institutional capacity in the field of inclusive sport and the guiding role it has assumed at the international level. This cooperation positions Türkiye not only as an implementing country, but also as a strategic centre supporting knowledge sharing, capacity development and the transfer of good practices.

A First-of-Its-Kind Initiative in Europe with Its Multi-Stakeholder Structure

At the same time, the EPYG Legacy Initiative stands out as one of the first examples to be implemented at this scale in Europe through its scope, multi-stakeholder structure and sustainable implementation approach. The programme offers an innovative model that does not limit the impact of para sport solely to the field of competition, but instead generates lasting transformation in the areas of education, awareness, institutional development and social inclusion. In this regard, the project represents a pioneering value for the advancement of para sport policies and inclusive implementation models across Europe.

The visit of the European Paralympic Committee delegation to Türkiye is not merely a technical preparation process for the upcoming workshops; it is also a strong reflection in the field of the legacy vision shaped in the aftermath of the European Para Youth Games. As the Turkish National Paralympic Committee, we are highly pleased that our country is playing an active role in this strategic programme. Being part of this model, which sets an example at European level, and contributing to the wider dissemination of inclusive sport through education is of particular importance to us.