Within the framework of the Council of Europe and European Union joint project "Sport for All," ACT Global has produced the data necessary for systemic reform.
At the project’s closing event, held on June 23-24, 2026, at the Agora Palais in Strasbourg, ACT Global Senior Consultant Marika Mkheidze presented a comparative analysis of parasport systems and practices. Representatives from the Council of Europe, the European Union, the Parliamentary Assembly, and parasport experts from eight countries attended the event.
ACT Global began work on the project in early 2026. The objective was complex: to synthesize the often-fragmented experiences across Armenia, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Serbia, Portugal, Türkiye, and Ukraine into a single, robust, and evidence-based ecosystem. During the engagement, the team conducted over 30 in-depth interviews with sector experts, National Paralympic Committee representatives, and government agencies, while processing over 40 legal and public policy documents.
ACT Global’s holistic methodology moved beyond general overviews to provide an in-depth analysis of every facet of the parasport ecosystem, from governance models to gender and socio-economic barriers. By leveraging this approach, the team mapped the complete landscape and its individual components, establishing the prerequisite for actionable recommendations. As a result, decision-makers were presented with more than just a diagnosis; they received specific, adapted policy implementation tools, including performance-linked funding formulas, transparent monitoring systems, alongside the institutionally grounded action plans that provide practical instruments for reform.
As Marika Mkheidze explains, the research was fully validated through engagement with sector experts and authorities: "Our methodology was rooted in prioritizing local needs. Only through close collaboration with local partners was it possible to create a roadmap capable of driving real change".
The research findings have already served as a foundation for further action: commissioned by the Council of Europe, a series of training sessions has been conducted and guidance documents prepared. Georgian parasport specialists participated in this significant consultancy process as invited experts, further confirming the recognition of Georgian expertise at the international level.
About ACT Global
ACT Global is a Tbilisi-based international research and consultancy company that provides evidence-based research and strategic consulting focused on the development of human rights, economic, and political systems. The company’s work encompasses strategic areas such as institutional development and Europeanization, social inclusion, economic growth, and sustainable governance.
The company collaborates with international organizations (including the World Bank, EBRD, ADB, OECD, and UN agencies), government agencies, and local partners to develop practice-oriented recommendations and facilitate sustainable, systemic change. ACT Global’s international practice combines local expertise with advanced methodological standards to ensure that proposed solutions address real, local needs.
Contact Information:
The full version of the study and the package of recommendations are available at the following link: https://bit.ly/4wAMwxB. The ACT Global team continues to work on developing evidence-based solutions. For additional information regarding potential collaboration, please contact us via email or visit: https://www.act-global.com/en
