The European Universities Games are not just about sports and competition, it is also about educational and social programs, volunteerism, and knowledge. Various workshops on different topics were held, mainly for volunteers, for them to gain multiple other skills and information throughout the European Universities Games 2022 in Lodz, Poland. 

Besides the ECO workshop for volunteers, we have also attended the workshop on Sports for people with disabilities, at which volunteers and participants through the planned activities had the chance to experience how is it to be in the “shoes” of visually impaired people. Our volunteers shared that it was not easy for them, but that they eventually learned something about visual impairment, how people with that disability practice sports, what are the challenges and as they said got inspired and gained lots of knowledge and new perspectives. “Sunny weather, lots of space, lots of knowledge and new experience. What a perfect background to learn something new.”- said our volunteer Aleksandra Mazur.

Other workshop that we had the chance to get a glimpse of is the workshop on Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps possibilities, that happened at Zatoka Sportu on the 19 of July. It was mainly for volunteers, offering them possibility to hear and get more information on different Erasmus+ and ESC opportunities. They had the chance to get details about the ESC program, on which anyone between 18 and 30 years of age, can apply, on the funding for travel expenses and accommodation, on the types of volunteering you can get through this program, as well as the duration of different programs. Volunteers got to know that these types of opportunities are open not just for people coming from all over Europe, but from also other associated countries such as Turkey, countries from Asia, Eastern Balkans, and others.

Speaking of educational activities, yesterday was also the last day of EUSA Observer Programme, where attendees had the chance to hear more about other parts of organizational matters and insights of different teams and representatives working in different fields, such as sport and media. The first part of the program was reserved for discussion and insights connected to Sports. Mr Miha Zvan, Sports Manager of EUSA and Mr Kamil Kozlowski, Sports Manager from the Organizational Committee had their presentations, sharing knowledge and best practices from both sides. Mr Besim Aliti , EUSA Representative and Mr Cezary Sysiak, OC representative shared their experience and best practices related to organization of transportation.

The future organizers of European Universities Games 2024 and 2026, as well as other potential organizers and guests had the chance to also hear more about organizing details about Media coverage, the needs and the requirements that must be fulfilled for promotion and the role of media in the European Universities Games. Presentation on Marketing, Media and Communications was given from Mr Andrej Pisl, EUSA Project and Communications Manager and Mr Dominik Kowalczyk, OC Representative.  

For the wrap up of the Observer Programme, participants had the chance to have another guided sport venue visit. They visited the accommodation buildings where the volunteers and athletes are staying, as well as  Geyer’s Garden, where they had the chance to watch some of the competitions on 3x3 basketball and beach volleyball. The participants were very pleased and happy to take part of this programme, sharing that the knowledge and practical examples and information that they got through these discussion and presentations, gave them a better insight and that will help them a lot in future planning and organization of the next European Universities  Games and Championships.

Observer program is a program that will give a wider insight into the whole key information about the process of organizing the European Universities Games for future host and organizers. The Observer Program was held from from 17-20 of July. 

For more information, please see www.eusa.eu