EULink, as the coordinator of the Erasmus+ project Waves of Inclusion, is pleased to announce the successful completion of the 1st Transnational Project Meeting (TPM), held in Białystok, Poland, from 25 to 27 June 2026.
The meeting was hosted by the Institute for the Development of Sports and Education (IRSIE), with the support of the Inter-School Sports Centre of Białystok, and brought together representatives of all project partners: EULink, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), IRSIE, and AJSPT Suceava. The three-day meeting officially marked the beginning of the project’s implementation phase and strengthened the partnership’s commitment to promoting the well-being and social inclusion of Ukrainian refugee and local children and adolescents aged 10-17 through innovative water-based activities and mindfulness practices.
Advancing an Evidence-Based Approach to Inclusion
The first day of the meeting focused on the scientific foundations of the project. Emeritus Professor Dimitra Koutsouki (NKUA) delivered a presentation on the benefits of physical activity and mindfulness for mental, physical, and emotional well-being, highlighting their role in fostering resilience, social inclusion, and healthy development among young people. The session encouraged a fruitful exchange of knowledge and experiences among the partners regarding the needs of children from vulnerable backgrounds.
The second day introduced the project’s educational methodology through the presentation of the Toolkit for Water-based and Mindfulness Activities, followed by practical training sessions. Participants experienced the proposed activities firsthand, gaining valuable insights into how structured aquatic exercises combined with mindfulness techniques can enhance physical health, emotional regulation, self-confidence, teamwork, and social integration.
Strong Institutional Support
The consortium was honored by the participation of distinguished representatives from the education and sports sectors of the Podlaskie Region, whose presence reflected the strong institutional support for the project’s objectives:
- Mrs. Agnieszka Krokos-Janczyło, Head of the State Education Authority for the Podlaskie Region of Poland
- Mrs. Beata Laskowska, Deputy Head of the State Education Authority for the Podlaskie Region of Poland
- Mrs. Małgorzata Andrzejewska-Dušánková, President of the Podlaskie Regional Swimming Association
- Mrs. Justyna Pacewicz, Principal of Sports Championship Secondary School No. 2 in Białystok
Their participation highlighted the importance of cooperation between educational institutions, sports organisations, and public authorities in creating inclusive opportunities that promote health, well-being, and equal participation for all young people.
Preparing for the Pilot Implementation
The final day of the meeting was dedicated to project management and planning the forthcoming pilot implementation. The partners confirmed that the Waves of Inclusion pilot program will be implemented from September 2026 to February 2027 in Białystok, Poland, and Suceava, Romania.
During this period, Ukrainian refugee and local children and adolescents will participate in a structured program combining water-based activities with mindfulness sessions, aiming to improve mental health, physical well-being, emotional resilience, self-confidence, and social inclusion.
Educational Resources Now Available
To support the implementation of the project’s innovative methodology, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) has developed two educational resources that are freely available to educators, coaches, researchers, and practitioners:
- Literature Review on the Benefits of Physical Activity and Mindfulness for Mental, Physical, Emotional Well-being and Social Inclusion
- Toolkit for Water-based and Mindfulness Activities
These resources can be accessed at:
Literature Review: http://eulink.gr/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Literature-Review.pdf
Toolkit: http://eulink.gr/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Toolkit.pdf
Looking Ahead
The consortium will meet again during the 2nd Transnational Project Meeting, which will take place in Suceava, Romania, on 21–22 November 2026. The meeting will provide an opportunity to review the implementation of the pilot program, assess the first results, exchange experiences and good practices, and define the next steps towards achieving the project’s objectives.
As project coordinator, EULink would like to thank IRSIE for the excellent organisation and warm hospitality, as well as all project partners for their active participation, commitment, and collaborative spirit. Together, we are working to demonstrate how sport, physical activity, and mindfulness can become powerful tools for fostering inclusion, improving well-being, and strengthening social cohesion among young people across Europe.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.