Panathlon International

At the end of the training activities, the second transnational project meeting (TPM) of the MindFit VR project took place, providing an important opportunity for partners to review the progress achieved so far and plan the next stages of the project.

Representing Panathlon International were Fabio Figueiras, Project Coordinator, and Debora Quercioli from the General Secretariat, who provided support for the project activities.

During the meeting, several operational issues were discussed, including the completion of the curriculum translations into the different languages, the development of the toolkit, and the planning of upcoming dissemination activities. The partners also agreed on the timeline for the next phases, reaffirming their shared commitment to the project's objectives.

The TPM followed on from an intensive international training programme held in Izmir, attended by four Panathletes: Teresa Rocha from Portugal; Ilse Vanhoorelbeke from Belgium; Rebecca Ripanti from Italy; and Tunde Stift from Hungary.

Having completed the training, they will now begin planning and implementing dissemination activities within their respective countries.

More details about the participation of Panathlon International trainers can be found here: https://www.panathlon-international.org/news/index.php/en/component/k2/item/10889-mindfit-our-trainers-in-izmir-for-international-training.

MindFit VR is therefore continuing its journey successfully, strengthening international cooperation and developing innovative tools aimed at promoting well-being and resilience through education and the use of new technologies.

Excitement is running high within the MINDFIt team as our trainers are currently in Izmir taking part in an international training experience. Through the immersive environment provided by Spatial, participants are engaging in innovative learning activities and exchanging ideas with partners from across Europe.

The atmosphere is full of enthusiasm, collaboration and a shared commitment to developing new approaches that support the goals of the project.

Starting tomorrow, the focus will shift to the Transnational Project Meeting (TPM), an important opportunity to review progress and plan the next stages of MINDFIt. Fabio Figueiras will attend the meeting  as Project Coordinator, representing the consortium and contributing to discussions on the next phases and strategic development of the project.

MINDFIt continues to strengthen international cooperation and promote innovative learning experiences, bringing together expertise and creativity in support of wellbeing and inclusion.

Stay tuned for more news on this project!

An online preparatory meeting was held on 28 May with the Panathlon International trainers who will take part in the MindFit VR International Training Course, scheduled to take place in İzmir, Türkiye, from 8 to 12 June 2026.

The meeting, chaired by Fábio Figueiras, aimed to introduce participants to the MindFit VR – Immersive Sports for Mental Well-being project, an Erasmus+ Sport initiative combining sport, mental well-being and digital innovation, and to share the main information regarding the training programme, logistical arrangements and planned activities.

The four Panathlon International trainers who will attend the training course are Teresa Rocha, Ilse Vanhoorelbeke, Rebecca Ripanti and Tunde Stift.

During the course, participants will explore the use of Virtual Reality and hybrid sport approaches as educational tools to promote emotional resilience, mental well-being awareness and new methodologies for working with young people. The training will follow an experiential and participatory approach, combining exchanges, practical activities, group work and shared reflection.

After the training, the trainers will contribute to the next implementation phase of the project, bringing the acquired skills back to their local contexts and supporting the development of activities dedicated to mental well-being through sport and digital innovation.

Panathlon International continues its strong commitment to the Erasmus+ project "MindFit VR: Immersive Sports for Mental Well-being", a project funded by the European Union and aimed at promoting the mental well-being of young people in sport.

The project is coordinated by the Budapest Association for International Sport (BAIS) (Hungary), in collaboration with Deneyimsel Eğitim Merkezi Derneği (DeM) (Turkey) and Panathlon International, reflecting a strong framework of international cooperation.

On 13 February 2026, an important online focus group was held, bringing together Panathletes and sports stakeholders from various European countries. The meeting, moderated by Fabio Figueiras, was a valuable opportunity to gather experiences and reflections on the challenges young athletes face today, including pressure to perform, social and family expectations, and the increasingly significant impact of social media. Simona Callo, Secretary General, spoke at the meeting, and Monica Rossi participated on behalf of the General Secretariat, confirming the institutional attention and support for the project.

The difficulty of balancing sport, school and private life also emerged strongly, elements that make greater emotional support essential. In this context, MindFit VR is an innovative tool that can complement the central role of coaches and families through immersive technologies that help young people develop emotional awareness, resilience and self-confidence. The aim is to create a simple, accessible and multilingual toolkit that can be integrated into everyday sporting life.

This collaboration is also an important sign of Panathlon International's ability to operate in international networks, actively participating in European projects alongside a wide range of different sports organisations. This commitment strengthens the Association's role as an authoritative partner in international programmes and as a promoter of shared best practices.

Heartfelt thanks to the protagonists who contributed to the success of the focus group:

• Barbara Rossi (Panathlon Club of Pesaro, IT)

• Juliane Robra (Panathlon Club of Geneva, CH)

• Teresa Rocha (Panathlon Club of Lisbon, PT)

• Otto Frühbauer (Panathlon Club of Kärnten, AT)

• Lore Vanden Berghe (Panathlon Belgium, BE)

Their contribution represents a significant step towards a more people-oriented sport, strengthening the educational role of sport and supporting the mental wellbeing of the younger generation.

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