From play to policy: the I-PLAY roadmap to 2027

We have documented 12 games, designed a curriculum and trained the first group of trainers in Biga. Now comes the most visible part: festivals in three countries, a European network of traditional sports ambassadors and dialogue round tables with policymakers. This is our roadmap up to July 2027.

1. Traditional sports festivals in three countries

The project plans an inclusive traditional sports festival lasting three days in each country (Spain, Türkiye and Poland), with between 150 and 200 participants each. Across the three, the aim is to involve more than 500 people, with at least 40% coming from vulnerable groups.

All three festivals share the same format:

• Day 1: Opening and demonstrations. Opening ceremony with local authorities, game exhibitions and inclusion workshops.

• Day 2: Open tournament. Games with mixed teams of different nationalities, and challenges for young people.

• Day 3: Dialogue and the future. Local round table, presentation of certificates and sustainability plans.

In each country, we are seeking to involve municipalities, sports federations, schools, social organisations and local media. In the Basque Country, our work with the sports departments of Oiartzun and Errenteria and with local organisations such as Kroma is the foundation for preparing our festival.

2. A European network of ambassadors

At the festivals, we will appoint Local Traditional Sports Ambassadors: young people and educators committed to continuing to play, teach and spread these games once the project is over.

Together, they will form a European network with representatives from at least the three consortium countries. This is our commitment to sustainability: a project comes to an end, but a network of people can carry on.

A game survives when there is someone willing to teach it. The ambassadors' network is how we make sure there always will be.

3. Helping municipalities and schools make it their own

One of our measurable objectives is for at least 10 municipalities or schools to incorporate project activities into their regular sports programmes. We do not want a festival that happens once and is forgotten; we want games that find their way into the calendar of schools, sports centres and local festivities.

4. From the playground to policy

Policy advocacy, led by our Polish partner SEDA, seeks to give traditional games a permanent place in education and sports policy. The plan includes:

• At least five policymakers engaged per country, through consultations.

• A national policy dialogue round table in each country, lasting one day with around 20 people: in San Sebastián, Ankara and Warsaw.

• Three policy documents: a research and recommendations report (January 2027), a report on the consultations and round tables (April 2027) and a final advocacy strategy (June 2027).

In Spain, our proposal is to work simultaneously at national level and at Basque and Navarrese level, where competences for sport and education are concentrated, and to invite municipal sports departments to make concrete commitments.

5. A more distant horizon: UNESCO

Our State of the Art report noted that herri kirolak does not appear on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage lists. In the long term, I-PLAY's recommendations and materials could help support that recognition.

6. The finale: Kraków, June 2027

The project will culminate in a final dissemination conference in Kraków, lasting two days with around 80 people, scheduled for June 2027, together with the online launch of the complete training platform. By then, the aim is for the digital toolkit, the games library and the courses to be openly available in four languages.

How you can take part

• If you are a municipality or a school, host an activity or join the festival.

• If you are an association, co-design a session for your group with us.

• If you are a young person or an educator, put yourself forward as a traditional sports ambassador.

Get in touch via abarka.org and follow the roadmap at i-play.abarka.org.