BalkanSplash

ongoing

The BalkanSplash project aims to develop aquatic sports in Albania and Kosovo by introducing finswimming in Albania and expanding water polo in both countries, where no clubs currently practice it. In Kosovo, the initiative builds on the Mermaids project, elevating finswimming to a competitive level with a structured governing body affiliated with CMAS, aspiring to field athletes for the 2026 Mediterranean Games as a first dissemination step. Beyond sports development, the project fosters inclusion, gender equality, and minority integration through innovative education and best practices from Croatia and Türkiye. Sport serves as a powerful tool for social cohesion, offering vulnerable groups a supportive space for interaction and growth. The project is crucial for the Western Balkans, where challenges persist in ethnic and religious minority inclusion. Additionally, it addresses gender disparities, challenging traditional stereotypes and encouraging women’s participation in sports, a step toward broader societal engagement. Impact extends to coaches, athletes, and organizations, creating a model for sports-driven social change. Finswimming, with its high speed and spectator appeal, plays a pivotal role in outreach, attracting new participants. Similarly, water polo will be introduced as an organized sport, establishing training programs and community engagement strategies to ensure long-term development. By combining sports innovation and social impact, BalkanSplash sets a sustainable foundation for aquatic sports in Albania and Kosovo while advancing EU priorities in integration, equality, and grassroots sports development.