KIDS ADVENTURE OLYMPICS
The Project Concept is based on the following main pillars designed in an accessible and inclusive way:
- Physical activities: mini-pentathlon, 100m sprint, obstacle course, team relay race
- Educational workshops on the topics of Safeguarding and Human Rights
- Green initiatives- 1 hours of “plogging” (jogging + picking up litter) right after the competitions, as well as waste sorting and disposal
Local Event in Skopje: Speed, Skills, and Smiles at the KAO Project Sports Days
From 30th May to 1st June 2025, the city of Skopje came alive with energy and excitement as it hosted another remarkable local event under the Erasmus+ KAO Project. Over these three vibrant days, 70 participants of all ages gathered to take part in dynamic athletic activities designed to encourage healthy living, teamwork, and community inclusion.
The Skopje event focused on two carefully organized sporting challenges that offered participants a balance of competition and fun:
- 100m Sprint: Athletes of varying age groups lined up to test their speed on a classic 100-meter track. Divided into friendly heats, the races were filled with cheers and high-fives, as runners pushed themselves to cross the finish line and celebrate personal bests.
- Obstacle Course: Perhaps the most anticipated activity, the obstacle course combined a series of playful yet skill-demanding elements. Participants crawled through tunnels, jumped over hurdles, and navigated balance beams, developing coordination, focus, and confidence along the way. The course was designed to be both challenging and safe, allowing everyone from younger children to adults to participate at their own pace.
Beyond the excitement of the competitions, the event also served a broader purpose: strengthening social bonds and promoting the values at the heart of the KAO Project. Throughout the three days, families, friends, and local residents gathered around the track, turning the sports grounds into a lively community festival. Informal sessions were organized alongside the main activities, offering:
- Short talks on the benefits of daily physical activity and ways to incorporate simple exercises into busy lives; Interactive demonstrations showing how sports can be adapted to different skill levels, ensuring everyone feels welcome and encouraged.
Local volunteers and youth workers played an essential role by guiding participants, cheering them on, and fostering a positive, supportive environment. Feedback from the participants and their families was overwhelmingly positive. Many highlighted how the event introduced them to new physical challenges in a friendly setting.
“My children were thrilled to try the obstacle course. It was something new for them, and they can’t stop talking about it,” shared one parent.
“It’s great to have events like this where we can all come together, not just to compete, but to support each other and have fun,” added another local attendee.
The event also received attention from local media, helping spread the message of the KAO Project even further and inspiring nearby communities to explore similar grassroots sports initiatives. The Skopje sports days perfectly embodied the goals of the Kids Adventure Olympics: increasing knowledge about healthy lifestyles, raising awareness on the importance of inclusive sports, and creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds to come together through physical activity. By focusing on accessible yet engaging disciplines, the event encouraged participants to challenge themselves, celebrate their achievements, and build lasting social connections. With the successful completion of this event in Skopje, the project partners concluded the live meetings and started their work on the Inspirational Guide.
Local Event in Dimitrovgrad: Mini-Pentathlon Brings Community Together Under the KAO Project
From 9th to 11th May 2025, the picturesque town of Dimitrovgrad became the lively stage for a unique sports event organized under the umbrella of the Kids Adventure Olympics Project, Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme. Over the course of three energetic days, 60 participants, including children, teenagers, parents, and local enthusiasts, took part in a vibrant Mini-Pentathlon, designed to promote healthy lifestyles, social inclusion, and community spirit. The event featured a specially tailored discipline, blending classical track and field elements with fun, accessible twists to ensure everyone could participate regardless of prior sports experience. The five disciplines included:
- Sprint: Participants tested their speed and quick acceleration on a short track, with friendly heats that encouraged cheering and playful competition;
- Long Jump: A soft sand pit was set up in the local park, where participants could safely try their jumping skills, learning basic techniques from volunteer coaches;
- Frisbee Throw: This station added a playful, skill-focused challenge, inviting everyone to improve their aim and coordination.
- Mini Javelin Toss: Using foam-tipped mini javelins ensured a safe introduction to this classic discipline, giving participants a taste of throwing sports.
- Hula Hoop Challenge: Perhaps the most crowd-pleasing of all, this event brought laughter and excitement, testing rhythm and core balance in a colorful, festive atmosphere.
Each discipline was scored individually, but the emphasis was firmly on participation, fun, and trying something new.
Alongside the pentathlon activities, the event included informal workshops and discussions about the benefits of regular physical activity, how sport can build confidence, and why inclusion matters in every community. Local educators and sports volunteers offered practical demonstrations, such as stretching techniques and simple exercises that families could continue at home. Spectators and family members were encouraged to join mini warm-ups and closing dances, transforming the event into a true community celebration.
Participants shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, highlighting how the event helped them discover new sports and meet new friends. Several parents expressed gratitude for the opportunity to spend an active day with their children in a safe and supportive environment.
“It’s wonderful to see our kids running, jumping, and smiling together,” said one local mother. “They learned new skills, but most importantly, they had fun without any pressure.”
Local authorities and community leaders who attended also reaffirmed their support for grassroots sports initiatives, recognizing their power to strengthen social bonds and promote healthier lifestyles. This event in Dimitrovgrad stands as a shining example of the KAO Project’s mission to increase knowledge, raise awareness, and create new opportunities through sport. By bringing people together in an inclusive and welcoming environment, the project continues to break down barriers and inspire more active, connected communities across Europe.
Following the success in Dimitrovgrad, partners within the KAO Project are already planning the next and last event which will be staged in Skopje, North Macedonia.
“Kids Adventure Olympics” Launches in Sofia with Sport, Learning, and Sustainability at Heart
The “Kids Adventure Olympics” Erasmus+ Project officially kicked off with an energetic and inspiring event in Sofia, Bulgaria, hosted by the project coordinator—Balkan Sports Development Association (BSDA). Together with Project Partners ZAKCS from North Macedonia and AK Balkan from Serbia, the event brought together 60 children—20 from each country, equally divided between boys and girls—for a memorable day of sport, learning, and environmental awareness. The young participants aged 6-12 competed in a series of interactive athletic disciplines including sprinting, long jump, and mini-javelin toss. These activities were not only fun and engaging, but also designed to promote physical development, fair play, and inclusion among children from diverse backgrounds. A key element of the event was its educational focus. CPD-certified experts led insightful lectures on vital topics such as “Introduction to Safeguarding in Youth Sports,” “Human Rights and Children in Sports,” and “Implementing Safeguarding Policies in Sports Organizations.” These sessions equipped coaches, volunteers, and staff with essential knowledge to ensure that youth sports environments remain safe, respectful, and empowering. In a creative and impactful finale, the event featured an innovative “plogging” initiative—jogging while collecting litter. Turned into a fun competition, the children eagerly worked in teams to gather waste from the venue, learning about environmental responsibility in a hands-on and engaging way. The collected waste was sorted and sent for recycling, and all plastic caps were donated to the national Caps for Future campaign, supporting charitable causes in Bulgaria. The launch event in Sofia perfectly captured the spirit of the “Kids Adventure Olympics”—bringing children together through sport, education, and shared values, while fostering a sense of community and care for the world around them. With such a strong start, anticipation is already building for the next event in Dimitrovgrad, Serbia, in this exciting and meaningful project.