European Para Youth Games Legacy Initiative
A transformational opportunity for inclusive sport.
The European Para Youth Games (EPYG) are a launch pad for future Paralympians and a gateway to inclusion, personal growth, anti-discrimination and opportunities for athletes with a disability across Europe.
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The EPYG foster a sense of belonging, identity and ambition and provide a platform for Para athletes, coaches, officials, event organisers and local communities to grow, aspire and play.
Istanbul 2025
From 260 athletes from 13 countries at the first edition in 2010, to 1,500 athletes, coaches and officials from 34 countries at the most recent edition competing in a record nine sports in Istanbul, Türkiye, in 2025, the EPYG have become a critical milestone for young Para athletes in Europe.
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But the Games are not just a sport event. They also have a role to play in inclusion, awareness raising, education, development and policy for athletes, National Paralympic Committees, governments and sports.
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Despite the growing success of the EPYG, systemic barriers still prevent equal access to Para sport across Europe. Many people with disabilities lack structured opportunities to take part in sport as inclusive sport programmes, trained coaches and adaptive sports education remain underdeveloped in many sub-regions. Many schools and sport organisations do not have the resource or training to integrate Para sport into their programmes, leaving many talented athletes without pathways to progress.
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This is why the European Paralympic Committee, working with National Paralympic Committees, developed the EPYG Legacy Initiative, supported by Erasmus+, to make the most of EPYG 2025 for roll-out by the end of 2026.
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The Legacy Initiative is open to, and benefits, all European Paralympic Committee Members.
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Key programmes
Partners
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