Women’s Empowerment through Running Unites Nations

2026-07-22

The transnational initiative WE RUN places women at its centre, fostering women’s empowerment as well as women’s health through participation in grassroots sports. Especially in the region of the Western Balkans, it is essential to build safe women's communities – led by women, to strengthen them and promote their self-efficacy. The 261 Club Austria has shown that setting up women running groups is an excellent low-threshold approach through grassroots sports that appeals to women of all generations, different backgrounds and different fitness levels. This model, which has been successfully implemented in Austria (AT), is now being transferred to Albania (AL) and adapted to the country's cultural and social context. To this end, a transfer model is developed and implemented, running coaches are recruited and trained and ultimately four running groups are established in two Albanian regions. Additionally, three women are trained on a leadership level to transfer the model to Kosovo (KOS). The transfer process includes training, supervision, creation of a structure and quality and sustainability assurance. In Albania, it is necessary to develop the skills and structures to sustainably create effective programmes, which will have an impact beyond the duration of the project. The development of customised implementation plans, and a business plan geared towards the future are required. Local support comes from Opportunity Balance Overcoming (OBO), which provides knowledge and access to communities in order to recruit women coaches and runners. With the acquired cultural understanding and practical experience, the transfer model will be further developed and improved with the aim to use it in other areas of AL and in KOS, creating a multiplying effect.

Austria, Albania, Kosovo *

2026-02-01