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Discovery Programme

Awareness, experimentation, engagement and volunteering

The Discovery Programme ran during the Istanbul 2025 European Para Youth Games (EPYG) and focused on raising awareness of Para sports and engaging the local community in the Games.

By telling the stories of athletes, coaches and Chef de Mission, covering their performances during EPYG by bringing together a team that featured content creators and media professionals with disabilities and giving the public the chance to connect with Para sport and Para athletes where they were through experiences and city activations, Istanbul 2025 was able to reach millions of people online and in person.

In addition, providing Para athletes the chance to be interviewed by former Press Association journalists and media with disabilities enhanced the Games experience for many.

Impact

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Paralympic Street Festival

Community awareness

The Paralympic Street Festival at one of Istanbul's biggest shopping centres offered unique experiences, combining culture, Para sport try-outs, outdoor viewing of live action from EPYG and inclusivity and reached 50,000 people between 24-27 July.

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One-Minute Experience Zones

Inclusivity

These pop-up experiences aimed to give the public in Istanbul direct experience of disability and featured activities such as find the object and score a goal in goalball.

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Content team

Creating connections

A team of photographers, digital creators, presenters, film producers, journalists, content experts and editors - including some with disabilities - were drafted in to cover the amazing stories of EPYG online and offer athletes new experiences. Activities reached millions on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

Exposure

Storytelling

Italy power to wheelchair basketball gold

Italy marched relentlessly to wheelchair basketball gold at the European Para Youth Games in Istanbul as they proved a class above all their opponents. It was a wonderful exhibition of the sport from a richly-talented team led majestically by Alessandro Sbuelz.

Slovenia head coach Bobnar backs EPYG for boosting boccia talent

Slovenia's boccia head coach Maja Bobnar has underlined the importance of the European Para Youth Games for helping to develop young athletes. Bobnar has overseen a team of three in the boccia competition, including 14-year-old twins Anze and Enej Strazberger.

EPYG is stunning showcase for stars of future

Four-time Paralympian Barbara van Bergen has said the European Para Youth Games in Istanbul has given the future stars of Para sport vital international experience. The seventh edition of multi-sport event has seen the cream of Europe's sporting youngsters compete across nine Para sports.

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