From April 22 to 26, 2025, the city of Rijeka, Croatia, is hosting a unique international sports mobility under the #BeInclusiveWaterPolo project, bringing together young athletes from Bulgaria and Croatia. This international exchange aims to demonstrate that sport can be a powerful tool for inclusion and equal opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme and hosted by the ParaSports Association of Rijeka, the initiative unites both teams in a shared experience of teamwork, growth, and cultural exchange.

#BeInclusiveWaterPolo introduces an innovative and inclusive approach to adapted water polo, where players with intellectual disabilities train and compete alongside peers of similar abilities. First presented during the Special Olympics Malta 2022, the concept has since evolved into a cross-border model of collaboration and inclusion.

The participating athletes have spent the past year preparing through dedicated inclusive water polo training programs in their respective countries. These pilot initiatives have involved collaboration with sport clubs, schools, and academic experts, laying the foundation for the international mobility in Rijeka.

The event is implemented with the active involvement of project partners from Bulgaria and Croatia, including the Bulgarian Sports Development Association (BSDA), the Bulgarian Swimmers Association, and the ParaSports Association of Rijeka. Stay tuned for more highlights and inspiring stories from this international celebration of sport and inclusion!