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Project duration
01.02.2024 – 31.01.2026
Project ERDF co-financing
467 946,62 EUR
Rowing4confidence
LL-00032
Enhancing the inclusion of excluded and vulnerable children and developing safe behaviour in open water through rowing activities
Common territorial challenge (s) that will be tackled by the project
Local sports institutions often avoid engaging with children who have special needs due to a lack of psychological understanding and pedagogical skills for those with mental disabilities. The region lacks sports facilities specifically designed for adapted use. This exclusion extends to children in community foster homes, denying them access to physical activity services and further marginalizing this vulnerable group. To foster an inclusive society, making sports accessible to children with mental health challenges is crucial. A key challenge in fostering cooperation is promoting synergy between active lifestyles and other social services, preventing social exclusion and enhancing the capacity of organizations providing these essential services.Project objective
The project aimed to promote social inclusion across borders for marginalized children in community-based foster homes and those excluded due to mental disabilities is the focus of integrated efforts. This involves addressing institutional fears and enhancing the capacity of sports institutions to provide rowing activities in Panevėžys, Liepaja, and Daugavpils.Planned activities
The project began with theory-based training for coaches in special education and psychology. Three collaborative two-day seminars were organised, followed by practical cross-border traineeships at each project partner’s location, allowing coaches to gain experience in different rowing environments, including rivers, lakes, and the sea. The activity concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the rowing organisations in Panevėžys, Liepāja, and Daugavpils. The Memorandum established a framework for continued cooperation, exchange of experience, development of inclusive coaching practices, and the organisation of future joint activities for children with disabilities and children from community-based foster care. To make rowing lessons accessible to the project’s target groups – children with mental disorders and those in community-based foster care – a range of investments was completed. A new rowing base with boat docking and auxiliary facilities was established in Panevėžys, while specialised rowing and safety equipment was procured for Panevėžys, Liepāja, and Daugavpils. The equipment, including kayaks, boats, stabilising accessories, life jackets, rowing ergometer, SUP boards, and safety equipment, improved the accessibility and safety of rowing activities and supported the development of participants’ rowing skills. Following the training programme, coaches applied their newly acquired knowledge by working with children from the target groups in their local communities. Two cross-border "Safe Rowing Weekends" were organised in Liepāja and Daugavpils, bringing together participants from all three partner cities. The project culminated in the joint kayak/SUP regatta "Senvagė 2025" in Panevėžys, where children showcased the skills and confidence they had developed throughout the project in a public and inclusive event.Project results
The Rowing4Confidence project successfully developed and implemented a joint cross-border solution to make rowing and water-safety activities accessible for children with special needs and children from community-based foster care in Lithuania and Latvia. By combining sports, special pedagogy, psychology and international cooperation, the project created a sustainable model that strengthened both the confidence of vulnerable children and the capacity of sports organisations to work with them.
A major achievement of the project was the development and practical application of an inclusive approach to rowing training. Twelve rowing coaches from Panevėžys, Liepāja and Daugavpils participated in specialised training and cross-border traineeships, gaining practical skills in working with children with mental disabilities and children from community-based foster care. The exchange of knowledge and practical experience increased coaches’ confidence and helped reduce institutional barriers to working with vulnerable groups.
The project also created the necessary conditions for long-term implementation of inclusive sports activities. A new rowing base was established in Panevėžys, while specialised rowing and safety equipment was purchased for all partner organisations, enabling safe and accessible rowing activities in different water environments.
Throughout the project, children from the target groups participated in regular rowing and water-safety sessions organised in all three partner cities. They developed rowing skills, learned safe behaviour on the water, strengthened teamwork and communication skills, built self-confidence, and became more actively involved in community life. Cross-border events, including the children’s camp in Liepāja, the Safe Rowing Weekend in Daugavpils and the final “Senvagė 2025” regatta in Panevėžys, gave participants an opportunity to apply their skills, meet peers from neighbouring countries and experience successful social inclusion in practice.
The project has also produced lasting institutional results. Coaches have strengthened their professional competences, municipalities have gained experience in providing inclusive sports services, and local communities have witnessed the positive impact of sport on social inclusion.
To ensure the sustainability of these achievements, the partner organisations signed a Memorandum of cooperation during the final project event. In January 2026, the partners also signed Annex No. 1 to the Memorandum, formally adopting the Integrated rowing, swimming and open-water safety programme for children and young people with mental, developmental or social challenges, developed and piloted within the project. The Programme provides a common framework for organising inclusive rowing, swimming-related and open-water safety activities and supports the continued implementation of the jointly developed approach by all partner organisations. The Memorandum and its Annex also establish a framework for continued cross-border cooperation through the exchange of good practices, joint events and study visits. As a result, the project has laid a strong foundation for continuing cooperation and promoting equal opportunities for vulnerable children through sport beyond the project lifetime.
The Programme can be downloaded from here:
Social media and contacts:
Phone: +370 665 14162
E-mail: administracija@panevezys.lt
Address: Laisvės sq. 20, LT-35200 Panevėžys
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September 5, 2025 - September 5, 2025
Joint kayak/SUP board regatta “SENVAGĖ CUP” in PanevėžysSmėlynės g. 2D, 35142 Panevėžys, Panevėžio apskritis Lietuva
