🤝 Our Team
Behind Beyond Barriers stands a partnership built on trust, experience, and a shared belief: inclusive sport deserves to be seen, valued, and supported. The project brings together two organizations from Bulgaria and Greece that have long been working to remove barriers in sport – not only physical ones, but structural, social, and now digital.
Bulgarian Sports Development Association (BSDA)
Project Coordinator | Bulgaria
Founded in 2010, the Bulgarian Sports Development Association (BSDA) is a non-profit public benefit organization committed to strengthening grassroots sport and promoting inclusion, equal access, and sustainability through physical activity.
For more than a decade, BSDA has worked at national and European level to position sport as a powerful tool for social change. The organization has coordinated and participated in over 150 international projects, focusing on:
- Social inclusion through sport
- Empowerment of marginalized communities
- Capacity building of grassroots sport organizations
- Environmental sustainability in sport
- Policy development and good governance
- Digital transformation in the sport sector
BSDA is an active member of European sport networks and regularly contributes to discussions on inclusion, accessibility, and innovation in sport. Through its work, the organization has consistently supported initiatives that amplify the voices of those who are often underrepresented — including athletes with disabilities.
Within Beyond Barriers, BSDA leads the overall project coordination and strategic direction. Its role includes:
- Managing implementation and quality assurance
- Leading communication, dissemination, and EU visibility
- Developing digital training resources and educational content
- Ensuring long-term sustainability and scalability
By combining strong project management with expertise in communication strategy and European cooperation, BSDA ensures that Beyond Barriers delivers measurable, structured, and lasting impact.
AETOI Thessalonikis
Project Partner | Greece
AETOI Thessalonikis is a dynamic sports organization based in Greece, dedicated to supporting children and adults with disabilities through inclusive sport, education, and training.
The organization works directly with around 70 athletes with disabilities and operates multiple adapted sport teams in athletics, basketball, swimming, table tennis, and other disciplines. AETOI is one of the few non-public entities in Greece officially accredited by the Ministry of Culture and Sports to implement “Sport for All” programs.
Beyond training sessions and competitions, AETOI plays a key role in fostering social participation, confidence, and community belonging for people with disabilities. Its staff includes physical trainers, educators, psychologists, and social workers, ensuring a holistic and person-centered approach.
AETOI also actively participates in European projects, contributing expertise in adapted physical activity, disability sport development, and inclusive education methodologies.
Within Beyond Barriers, AETOI brings essential hands-on experience and athlete-centered insight. The organization contributes by:
- Supporting research and needs assessment
- Leading capacity-building activities in Greece
- Co-developing practical digital tools and training materials
- Coordinating the development of the Best Practices Guide
- Ensuring that project outcomes remain practical and applicable
AETOI guarantees that the project remains grounded in real-life experience — ensuring that digital visibility strategies truly respond to the needs of inclusive sport organizations.
🌍 A Partnership Built on Shared Values
BSDA and AETOI share a long-standing commitment to inclusion, equal opportunities, and the belief that sport can transform lives.
Together, they combine:
- Strategic leadership and European experience
- Direct expertise in disability sport
- Digital innovation and communication know-how
- Strong national and international networks
This cross-border collaboration strengthens the European dimension of Beyond Barriers and ensures that the project results are transferable, scalable, and sustainable beyond its 24-month duration.
Beyond Barriers is not only about increasing visibility — it is about building capacity, strengthening resilience, and creating a future where inclusive sport is not an exception, but a recognized and supported reality across Europe.
