INTERACT+ Capacity Building Training Empowers International Dance Organization with Sport for All Initiatives

On November 20 and 21, the fifth INTERACT+ Capacity Building training, hosted by the International Dance Organization (IDO), brought together 28 participants from across Europe and beyond to advance the integration of Sport for All principles in dance. Facilitated by Mayssa Bsaibes, ITTF Foundation and Jörg Benner, European Flying Disc Federation, the training provided a dynamic platform for participants to share existing best practices in their countries and brainstorm new initiatives to make dance more inclusive and accessible to diverse populations.

During the training, representatives from participating countries highlighted several ongoing programs that demonstrate the intersection of dance and inclusivity:

• Bosnia: Dance integrated into the educational system for trainers.
• Canada: Free dance classes for low-income families and as part of physical education in schools.
• Cyprus: Dance lessons embedded in school curricula.
• Poland: Free access to dance classes for bilingual refugee groups and pupils at the club level.
• Russia: Incorporation of rope skipping into school programs.
• Slovenia: Unique initiatives like the “Hip Hop Moms” program and 1-on-1 female breaking battles to engage diverse audiences.

These examples underscore how dance is being leveraged globally to promote participation, foster inclusivity, and create equitable access to physical activity, and it was an unexpected benefit that the INTERACT+ training could facilitate the knowledge sharing among IDO members.

A key part of the training is the group work, so that participants can collaborate on new initiatives with fellow attendees and practice what they learn with the support of the expert facilitators. The group work segments of the training led to several creative proposals for expanding Sport for All through dance:

“Steppin’ into the Rhythm” (Slovenia)

• Target Group: Non-dancers and general audiences.
• Program: Free dance workshops at major sports events, aiming to introduce basic dance movements in a fun and social environment.
• Objective: Foster connection through movement, reaching people who may not have engaged with dance previously.

“Thurs-Dance-Day” (Russia)

• Target Group: School children.
• Program: Easy and enjoyable dance experiences offered in schools, culminating in small gifts to reinforce positive associations with dance.
• Objective: Create a festive and welcoming atmosphere for children, while promoting club activities.

“Outdoor Fun for All” (Cyprus)

• Target Group: Children, youth, and teens.
• Program: A weekend outdoor workshop combining dance with other sports like boxing, delivered free of charge.
• Objective: Leverage Cyprus’ favorable climate to encourage physical activity in natural settings, with support from government funding and sponsorships.

Participants concluded the workshop by reflecting on its impact and exploring potential future directions. The event not only showcased a rich diversity of existing initiatives but also spurred the development of innovative concepts to further embed dance within Sport for All frameworks. Ideas for future workshops include deeper dives into fundraising, marketing, and collaboration with professional organizations to sustain these initiatives.

The INTERACT+ training reinforced the potential of dance as a universal language to inspire movement, build connections, and promote inclusive physical activity worldwide. If you would like to get involved, contact us at info@tafisa.org.