The city of Mirandela hosted an international meeting of the “Equal Play” project between the 18th and 22nd January 2026, bringing together European partners to advance gender equality in sport through collaboration, education, and community engagement.
The event began with the arrival of the Spanish delegation at Hotel Dom Dinis, followed by subsequent arrivals of other international partners.
On 19th January, participants explored local heritage through visits to the the Art Station Museum, followed by a field visit to the EPA Carvalhais Farm. These activities highlighted the region’s cultural identity and also the rural development initiatives.
The core of the meeting took place on the 20th of January at the headquarters of ADCS Carvalhais. During the coordination meeting, partners reviewed progress across multiple work-packages, including project management, curriculum development, and the creation of a practical toolkit. Discussions also addressed dissemination strategies, upcoming deliverables, and future meetings, including the next transnational gathering in Croatia.
A key highlight of the day was a Workshop focused on gender equality in sport, reinforcing the project’s central mission. Artur Santos, a researcher at CITeD, presented data on gender equality in sports in Portugal and Europe, while Ana Sofia Coelho, a professor at EsACT-IPB and researcher at CITeD, shared her academic and basketball career, including experiences in the United States and the development of basketball projects.
This was complemented by a girls basketball training session with Mirandela Basket Club, offering a practical demonstration of gender equality in sports practices at local level.
The program continued on the 21st of January with more basketball training sessions before the departure of all delegations on the 22th of January.
By combining strategic planning with hands-on activities and cultural exchange, the “Equal Play” meeting in Mirandela strengthened cooperation among partners and reinforced the role of sport and basketball as a tool to promote equality, inclusion, and social change all across Europe.
