LUBLIN — On October 5, 2023, the European Youth Capital of Lublin played host to a celebration of exceptional initiative, social impact, and dedication to European values during the annual SALTO Awards ceremony. Among the distinguished projects recognized on this international stage was #SMILE, an innovative European initiative co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ program. The project, which explores the powerful intersection of sports and social inclusion, was honored with a special award in the "Competence Development" category.
Representing the Bulgarian Sports Development Association as the #SMILE coordinator, Yoanna Dochevska, the chairperson of the organization, attended the ceremony in Poland to accept the prestigious accolade. The annual SALTO Awards were established to recognize outstanding youth work, showcase inspiring practices, and motivate European citizens, young people, decision-makers, and candidates of the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programs to strive for a greater, more measurable societal impact.
The 2023 edition of the awards featured several key categories reflecting the evolving priorities of the European Union, including Digital Transformation, Inclusion and Diversity, Participation in Democratic Life, Solidarity and Volunteering, and a newly introduced category for Environment and Climate Change Action. In addition to these primary fields, the program featured a highly competitive special category dedicated to "Competence Development," designed to spotlight projects that excel in fostering lifelong learning and personal growth across communities.
The #SMILE initiative, formally titled Sports and Mobility for Inclusion, caught the attention of the international selection committee for its groundbreaking approach to supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. By providing structured international participation and mobility opportunities in sports activities, the project has broken down long-standing barriers, offering individuals who typically face fewer opportunities a chance to engage actively in athletic and social spheres. The initiative has successfully implemented a diverse series of national and international activities, playing a vital role in reinforcing European identity and fostering essential life and social competencies for participants in both Bulgaria and Croatia.
The special category for "Competence Development" serves as a crucial pillar within European youth programs, aiming to direct public attention toward the transformative impact of lifelong learning. It encourages the holistic development of competencies by actively involving a wide array of stakeholders in the fields of education and youth policy. When reviewing the submissions, the selection committee and the awards jury actively sought inspiring projects where youth participants, youth workers, organization representatives, and other community stakeholders were encouraged to deeply reflect on their educational journeys and skill development. The evaluation committee expressed a profound interest in grassroots practices and inclusive approaches that robustly support the learning processes and empowerment of both young participants and youth workers.
Out of approximately 200 project proposals submitted across all categories for the 2023 awards cycle, the "Competence Development" category carefully evaluated every entry to distinguish the single initiative that truly stood out in terms of operational quality, community engagement, and activity design.
Dick Smit, the chairman of the jury for the "Competence Development" category, praised the winning initiative during the announcement, explaining the unanimous decision of the committee.
"The SMILE project was unanimously selected by the committee because it is one of the few projects in Europe that actively involves individuals with intellectual disabilities in mobility and provides them with an active platform for inclusion and competency development," Smit stated.
The recognition underscores the project’s alignment with the broader horizontal objectives of the Erasmus+ program, which co-funds the initiative. The overarching mission of Erasmus+ centers on ensuring absolute inclusion and diversity across all areas of education, training, youth, and sports. By focusing its efforts on international mobility and sports participation for individuals with fewer opportunities, the #SMILE initiative has translated these core European policy goals into tangible, everyday realities for its participants.
Furthermore, the initiative aligns seamlessly with the European Union’s ongoing priority of promoting widespread participation in sports and physical activity. Every activity conceptualized and executed under the umbrella of the SMILE project has been carefully tailored toward achieving the sustainable, long-term inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities in sports culture at local, national, and international levels.
The successful execution of the #SMILE project is the result of a dedicated partnership between leading organizations committed to disability inclusion in Southeast Europe. The initiative is jointly driven by the Bulgarian Sports Development Association and the Rijeka Sport Association for People with Disabilities, two entities with extensive experience in creating accessible pathways and sports opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Bulgaria and Croatia, respectively.
Through their collaborative efforts, the project teams have worked extensively to ensure that sports serve as an egalitarian medium for personal growth, community integration, and the acquisition of vital life competencies. The recognition at the SALTO Awards highlights the profound value of cross-border cooperation in addressing complex social challenges and creating a more inclusive Europe.
Detailed information regarding the ongoing initiatives, methodologies, and upcoming activities of the #SMILE initiative can be accessed through the official project website at www.inclusivesport.org.
