The final event of the ORIENT project took place on May 29, 2023, at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sarajevo. This event marked the successful conclusion of the project, which lasted from 2021 to 2023 and was co-funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ Sport program. Within the project, the NGO "Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures" collaborated with partners from Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Austria.
During the event, comprehensive presentations were given, showcasing the results of the project activities, including the methodologies developed as a result of this project. In the opening part, the Dean of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Prof. Dr. Ifet Mahmutović, delivered a speech emphasizing the significance and role of the project, offering full support on behalf of the faculty.
Following that, Prof. Dr. Dino Mujkić provided a detailed overview of the chronological sequence of activities and project outcomes. He expressed gratitude to all those who supported the realization of the project, including the close collaboration with the Municipality of Centar Sarajevo. As a result of this collaboration, a book/guide on the fundamentals of orienteering as a sports and recreational discipline, with a special focus on its potential for inclusive action in society, was prepared and printed. Prof. Dr. Siniša Kovač and the President of the Federal Orienteering Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Selver Ajrulahi, highlighted the importance and opportunities offered by orienteering as a sport, as well as its role in the physical and mental development of children and youth. In conclusion, the professors presented relevant data on the project achievements and emphasized how orienteering has actively engaged young people in sports and fostered their development.
These presentations allowed the event participants to gain a better understanding of all aspects of the project, its outcomes, and its contribution to the sports community. Additionally, the attendees received a copy of the mentioned book/guide on the fundamentals of orienteering, along with the opportunity to ask questions and exchange opinions on the project and its impact on the local community.
The ORIENT project set specific goals aimed at promoting social inclusion and participation of vulnerable young people and other members of the local community through orienteering. Orienteering was used as a tool to raise awareness of the value of sports as an inclusive instrument, fostering solidarity, participation, policies of cohesion, and integration.
