QIS – All In Transnational Project Meeting in Málaga

Experiencing accessibility, inclusion and sport in practice

In mid-October, partners of the QIS – All In project gathered in Málaga, Spain, for a Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) hosted in Andalusia. The meeting was organised by the Andalusian Regional Ministry of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families and Equality (CISJUFI), underlining the strong role of public authorities in advancing inclusive sport policies and practices.

The two-day meeting took place on 16–17 October and brought together partners from across Europe to align project activities, exchange expertise and — most importantly — experience accessibility and inclusion in real sporting environments.

From coordination to shared understanding

As a formal Transnational Project Meeting, the first part of the gathering focused on coordination and progress across all work packages. Partners reviewed ongoing activities, discussed next steps and ensured alignment in the development of the certification framework, digital platform and educational tools.

Beyond coordination, the meeting created space for meaningful exchange between professionals from sport, accessibility, architecture, education and public administration.

Learning from lived experience

Participants engaged in conversations with Paralympic athletes, including an international para-athlete involved in mentoring programmes, as well as athletes with visual impairments. These exchanges offered first-hand insight into daily challenges, personal journeys and the real impact that accessible sports environments can have.

These moments reinforced a key principle of QIS – All In:
accessibility standards must be developed together with people who live them every day.

Discovering Goalball through experience

One of the most impactful parts of the TPM was observing and engaging with Goalball training.

Goalball is a Paralympic team sport for athletes with visual impairments, where players sit on the floor and roll a ball fitted with bells towards the opposing goal. The game relies on sound, spatial awareness and teamwork, highlighting how sports environments must respond to sensory as well as physical needs.

For many partners, this was a powerful learning moment — transforming abstract discussions about accessibility into tangible understanding.

Assessing accessibility in real sports facilities

On the second day, partners visited the Centre of Inclusive Sports Technical Development at the Carranque “Javier Imbroda” Sports City in Málaga. The visit focused on observing and discussing accessibility solutions in practice — from entrances and circulation routes to signage, changing rooms and training areas.

The visit was organised in cooperation with Spanish partners, including the Spanish Paralympic Committee, whose expertise supported in-depth discussion on good practices and real-world challenges.

Why this Transnational Project Meeting mattered

The Málaga TPM perfectly reflected the spirit of QIS – All In:

  • strong leadership from public authorities such as CISJUFI
  • collaboration between partners from different countries and sectors
  • learning directly from athletes and people with lived experience
  • connecting project indicators with real sports environments

 

By combining coordination, dialogue and hands-on experience, the meeting strengthened a shared understanding of what quality, accessibility and inclusion truly mean in practice.

The insights gained in Málaga will directly feed into the next phases of the project — helping ensure that QIS – All In delivers tools, certification standards and educational resources that are realistic, meaningful and centred on people.

Because accessible sport spaces are not built in meeting rooms alone — they are shaped through experience, cooperation and listening.

Latest news

Why this project matters

Why this project matters Because too many people are still left standing at the door.  We could talk about accessibility in numbers — and they

Read More »
November 19, 2025