In the period December 2019 – January 2020, various dissemination events were held in Bosnia and Herzegovina that aimed to promote Sport Diplomacy Academy project. The Sport Diplomacy Academy project is a legacy of the first Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council, which took place in the first half of 2018 and is focused on cooperation with the Western Balkans as a logical continuation of all activities carried out under the #EU2018BG Priority: Perspective of the EU and the Western Balkans connectivity, citing the Sofia Declaration and the Sofia and EU Priority Agenda for the EU and the Western Balkans. The European Union and the Western Balkans must continue to invest in efforts to strengthen cooperation and the exchange of good practices focused on democracy, security and fundamental human rights. Project ensures the educational mobility of coaches and other staff of sport organisations (incl. volunteers) linked to professional and grassroots sport. The four mobility modules, which will be implemented in each partner country, will improve the skills and competencies of a total of 80 sports professionals, as well as their qualifications, through learning mobility. Learning mobility is planned as an investment in human capital and a contribution to the capacity building of various sport organisations with clear focus on building a network of well-trained sport diplomats, with activities co-funded by a European Union pilot program.
Dissemination events in Bosnia and Herzegovina (chronological order):
Date: 15.12.2019 (Organized by Selma Memovic, #SportDiplomacyAcademy participant from BIH)
- Where: Hall “Ramiz Salčin”, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Target Group: “B” – team & U - 17 of WFC “SFK SARAJEVO”
- Number of Participants: 17
- Event Description: Introduction to the project “Sport Diplomacy Academy”; Introduction to the first module held in Sofia, Bulgaria (talk about sport diplomacy , EU values, international relations, connectivity of the countries involved in project); Showing the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUQ2XfDcmnY; Introduction to the second module held in Sarajevo, B&H (talk about good governance in the field of sport); Talk about Azra Numanović, general secretary in the club and her presentation in second module; Introduction to the third and four module; Discussion about good governance in the field of football
Date: 18.12.2019 (Vanja Subasic, #SportDiplomacyAcademy participant from BIH)
- Where: Teslic, Sport gym "Radolinka", Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Target Group: Parents of children that are involved in sport activities
- Number of Participants: 12
- Event Description: Presentation of Sport Diplomacy Academy project
Date: 27.12.2019 (Milivoje Lujic, #SportDiplomacyAcademy participant from BIH)
- Where: Priboj, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Target Group: Individuals, ages 18-38
- Number of Participants: 5
- Event Description: Individual discussion and presentation of Sport Diplomacy Academy second module
Date: 01.01.2020 (Milivoje Lujic, #SportDiplomacyAcademy participant from BIH)
- Where: Ugljevik, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Target Group: Football players U – 17 selection
- Number of Participants: 20
- Event Description: Presentation and short discussion about good governance in football among the team players
Date: 04.01.2020 (Selma Memovic, #SportDiplomacyAcademy participant from BIH)
- Where: Sports Hall “Dobrinja”, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Target Group: “B” – team & First team of WFC “SFK SARAJEVO” with head coaches
- Number of Participants: 24
- Event Description: Introduction to the project “Sport Diplomacy Academy”; Introduction to the first module held in Sofia, Bulgaria (talk about sport diplomacy , EU values, international relations, connectivity of the countries involved in project); Showing the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUQ2XfDcmnY; Introduction to the second module held in Sarajevo, B&H (talk about good governance in the field of sport); Talk about Azra Numanović, general secretary in the club and her presentation in second module; Introduction to the third and four module; Discussion about good governance in the field of football.
Date: 06.01.2020 (Haris Idris, #SportDiplomacyAcademy participant from BIH)
- Where: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Target Group: Basketball Club Lokomotiva Mosta
- Number of Participants: 13
- Event Description: Haris Idriz held a meeting to promote the Sports Diplomatic Academy and its principles. The meeting was attended by basketball club Lokomotiva Mostar kids and trainers. Haris Idriz, an Academy participant outlined its goals, explained the importance and need of sports in diplomacy. Particular attention was paid to the topics of the first two modules: EU values, international relations, the organization of local events and good examples of governance in the field of sport. Of particular importance to the Association itself are the strategies of the various sports clubs and sports representatives in organizing local events. This was also an opportunity for us to get acquainted with EU directives, in order to organize similar projects in the future and to cooperate with other European countries
Date: 06.01.2020 (Sabina Topcic, #SportDiplomacyAcademy participant from BIH)
- Where: Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Target Group: Mountain guides, event organizers
- Number of Participants: 10
- Event Description: The Vedro Association held a meeting to promote the Sports Diplomatic Academy, that is, its principles. The meeting was attended by mountaineering guides, the project team, members of the Section ̋ Zenica running ̋ and the board of directors. An Academy participant outlined its goals, explained the importance and need of sports in diplomacy. Particular attention was paid to the topics of the first two modules: EU values, international relations, the organization of local events and good examples of governance in the field of sport. Of particular importance to the Association itself are the strategies of the various sports clubs and sports representatives in organizing local events, as they have their own event, hosted by the Zenički noćni cener, a race with an official 600 participants and an additional 600 unofficial (including a children's race). This was also an opportunity for us to get acquainted with EU directives, in order to organize similar projects in the future and to cooperate with other European countries
Date: 07.01.2020 (Almedin Hodzic, #SportDiplomacyAcademy participant from BIH)
- Where: Union Jack Snooker, Billiard & Darts Club, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Target Group: Snooker players, snooker coaches
- Number of Participants: 10
- Event Description: Union Jack Snooker, Billiard & Darts Pub held a meeting to promote to its members principles of the Sport Diplomacy Academy. The meeting was attended by snooker players, snooker coaches, secretary of the Billiard Federation and couple more guests interested in topic. Almedin Hodzic, one of the participants of the Sport Diplomacy Academy outlined its goals, explained the importance of the diplomacy in sport and talked about Module 1 and Module 2, their topics and impressions and about upcoming modules and their main goals
Date: 07.01.2020 (Amina Hadzimehanovic, #SportDiplomacyAcademy participant from BIH)
- Where: Gimnazija, Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Target Group: Athletes (Rhythmic Gymnastics)
- Number of Participants: 10
Date: 08.01.2020 (Hana Benca, #SportDiplomacyAcademy participant from BIH)
- Where: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Target Group: Members of Judo Club “Mostar”
- Number of Participants: 24
- Event Description: Judo Club ‘ Mostar’ held judo practice to promote the Sports Diplomatic Academy, that is, its principles. It was attended by members of judo club, president of judo club also, representatives of different age groups in judo club ‘Mostar ’ and representatives of parents community. Focus was putted on promoting EU values, fair play and Erasmus+ projects. Since our club struggles with bad results in last few years, this Is great opportunity for our board to learn more about governance through good examples we mentioned