PROJECT OVERVIEW
The WAVES project promotes more accessible, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable water sports across Europe. The project focuses on improving participation opportunities for older adults, Masters athletes, people with disabilities, and people with fewer opportunities.
Through research, focus groups, interviews, pilot activities, and practical tools, WAVES aims to better understand the barriers that people face when taking part in water sports activities and events. The project also explores how sports events can be organised in a more sustainable way by reducing environmental impact and encouraging more responsible practices.
WAVES brings together sport organisations and civil society partners to develop practical solutions that can help make water sports more open, inclusive, and future-oriented.
OBJECTIVES
- To identify the main barriers that older adults, Masters athletes, people with disabilities, and people with fewer opportunities face when participating in water sports activities and events.
- To promote more inclusive and accessible approaches in the organisation of water sports events.
- To support sport organisations, coaches, managers, and event organisers in creating activities that better respond to different participants’ needs.
- To encourage more environmentally sustainable practices in water sports events.
- To develop practical tools, recommendations, and learning materials that can be used by sport organisations across Europe.
HOW DO WE ACHIEVE IT
- Research and consultation: the project collects insights through surveys, focus groups, and interviews with athletes, coaches, sport clubs, federations, municipalities, and other stakeholders.
- Inclusive event design: WAVES explores how water sports events can become more accessible for different groups of participants, including older adults, people with disabilities, and people with fewer opportunities.
- Sustainability in sport events: the project looks at practical ways to reduce the environmental impact of water sports events, including energy and water use, waste reduction, travel, participant materials, and event planning.
- Practical tools and guidelines: based on the collected insights and project activities, WAVES will develop tools and recommendations for sport organisations, coaches, managers, and event organisers.
- Pilot activities and shared learning: project partners will test ideas in practice, exchange experiences, and share results to support more inclusive and sustainable water sports in Europe.
PROJECT PARTNERS
- Hellenic Swimming Federation (HSF) – Greece
- SOCIACT KOMVOS KOINONIKIS KAINOTOMIAS AMKE (SOCIACT NGO) – Greece
- Cyprus Sport Organisation (CSO) – Cyprus
- AY INSTITUTAS (AYI) – Lithuania
