Inclusive Sports in Focus: SIMS Project Wraps Up with Partners Meeting and Roundtable

On 26–27 May, the SIMS (Sport Inclusion Media Seal) project held its final event and partners meeting. Hosted by EASPD (European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities), the event marked the end of the 30-month project aimed at promoting social inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities through sport by using strong communication and media strategies. It brought together media professionals, communicators, and journalists to explore the theme: “Collaborating for Change: Supporting Inclusive Sports through Journalism.”

Final Transnational Partners Meeting

The partners meeting on 26 May provided space to review all project outputs and discuss remaining deliverables and the upcoming project report to be submitted to the EU. Partners shared progress updates and outlined plans for their upcoming national conferences. The meeting closed with a review of the project's sustainability plan, originally drafted at the start of the initiative. Based on lessons learned, partners proposed updates and agreed on next steps as the project concludes in June 2025.

Roundtable Discussion - Collaborating for change: supporting inclusive sports through journalism

On 27 May, a roundtable brought together media professionals, communicators, and journalists to share their experiences and work in inclusive sports. The event aimed to:

• Identify challenges in promoting diversity and inclusion in sport,

• Explore how inclusive sport organizations can collaborate with journalists to increase visibility,

• Share SIMS project tools and resources.

Two panel discussions followed: “How is the SIMS project contributing to more inclusive sports media journalism?” and “What is the way forward to increase the visibility of inclusive sports?” Panellists provided an overview of the SIMS project, focusing first on the seal’s design, findings from the experimental phase, and recommendations for organizations aiming to strengthen inclusion in their media strategies. The second panel addressed the need for more inclusive sports journalism, highlighting the institutional, financial, and training support journalists require, as well as ongoing challenges and future visions.

Participants engaged actively, asking questions, networking, and exchanging ideas. The event closed with a call to action for attendees to champion and amplify inclusive sports in their work.

Next Steps

The SIMS final event marks not the end, but the beginning of a new phase: opening the training, seal, and certification process to the public. Media professionals and communicators are encouraged to take the next step—becoming recognized advocates for inclusive sport.