Handball bridges: connecting Estonian and Croatian kindergartens through sport

2026-07-22

The project aims to promote handball among young children by integrating playful physical activities into kindergartens and early school years. Since structured handball is not suitable for very young children, the focus will be on enhancing movement skills, fostering teamwork, and developing a physically active lifestyle through engaging games inspired by handball. This collaboration between the Estonian Handball Association and the Croatian Handball Association utilizes Croatia’s proven expertise in early-age handball development. Croatia, one of Europe’s top handball nations, has already implemented a successful kindergarten handball program, making them an ideal partner to share best practices, training methodologies, and expertise. Expected results include a structured handball introduction program for young children, enhanced teacher training methodologies, and stronger grassroots handball engagement in Estonia. By fostering a fun and engaging sports culture from an early age, project contributes to the long-term goal of increasing physical activity levels and promoting sports participation among children. The project supports Erasmus+ Sport priorities by encouraging healthy lifestyles through sport, enhancing education and training for teachers, and fostering social inclusion by ensuring all children, regardless of background or ability, have access to structured physical activities. Teachers will be trained to integrate movement-based handball exercises into daily routines, and children will participate in fun and interactive sessions that introduce them to fundamental movement skills. Additionally, the project aligns with Erasmus+ horizontal priorities. It promotes environmental sustainability by encouraging outdoor play over screen time, inclusion and diversity by making sports accessible to all children, and digital transformation by using online tools and resources to support teachers and parents in implementing handball-based activities.

Estonia, Croatia

2026-02-01