TALENT Project Kicks Off in Vilnius
TALENT Project Kicks Off in Vilnius
The TALENT project (sTimulating Awareness on disabiLity and cooperatioN via fooTball) officially launched with a kick-off meeting on February 11-12, 2026, in Vilnius, Lithuania. Para Football Foundation joins this 36-month European initiative as a partner, bringing expertise in Para Football development and inclusive football practices to promote social inclusion of persons with disabilities across Europe.
TALENT aims to use football as a powerful means for social inclusion, going beyond simply providing access to sport. Football allows persons with disabilities to engage meaningfully with persons without disabilities across diverse social settings, strengthening social connections while promoting awareness, acceptance, and respect for diversity.
Para Football Foundation brings extensive expertise to the consortium, built through partnership with international Para Football governing bodies and federations worldwide. This experience will inform methodology development and support effective implementation across participating countries. The organization will also support communication and dissemination activities, helping ensure outputs are grounded in the real experiences and needs of the Para Football community.
The project brings together a diverse European partnership: five National Football Federations (Football Association of Slovenia, Football Association of Serbia, Romanian Football Federation, Latvian Football Federation, and Lithuanian Grassroots Football Association), Para Football (Foundation), ForModena training association, the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and UEFA as a supporting institution.
Specific objectives include promoting social inclusion of persons with disabilities through football participation, raising awareness of equality and fostering social norm change toward disability acceptance, and increasing sport access for persons with disabilities. Coaches will be equipped with educational programs, and teams will participate in community engagement initiatives fostering interactions across diverse social contexts.
Funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Sport programme, TALENT aligns with the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, demonstrating Para Football Foundation’s continued commitment to using football as a tool for social change and equality.
