The Bulgarian Rugby Federation has begun its participation in the Erasmus project Freedom in Rights Identities Driven through Art and Sport (FRIDAS)!
Following its first chapter, FRIDAS returns with a new project that broadens its focus on inclusion, accessibility and new perspectives for sport by combining art, rugby and gamification.
Freedom in Rights Identities Driven through Art and Sport combines sport and art to promote physical and mental health, combat discrimination and encourage inclusion. Inspired by Frida Kahlo, the project moves from a focus on gender equality towards broader inclusion, emphasising diversity and accessibility, especially for people with disabilities.
By combining art and sport, FRIDAS aims to remove barriers and give people opportunities to express themselves freely while embracing their unique abilities. The initiative continues to highlight rugby — a sport built on loyalty and trust — and combines it with art to overcome mental and physical barriers.
The project is being delivered together with Liminal (Greece), the rugby clubs Primavera Rugby (Italy), Ragbi Klub Zagreb (Croatia), Menorca Rugby Club (Spain), the Bulgarian Rugby Federation (Bulgaria), and the ASD Romanes Wheelchair Rugby team (Italy).
Through gamification, storytelling and multimedia art, young participants will engage with diverse experiences while developing empathy and understanding. This immersive approach helps foster a deeper sense of community, respect and cooperation between athletes with and without disabilities.
FRIDAS takes an innovative approach that connects multimedia art and games with rugby to challenge stereotypes, promote inclusion and create meaningful mentoring opportunities.
FRIDAS will also focus on training programmes for coaches and staff, equipping them with tools to support athletes in embracing and advocating for inclusion.
A unique feature of the project is the creation of an interactive online video game developed jointly by rugby players and multimedia artists. The game will serve as an immersive tool for reflection, allowing participants to explore inclusion in different cultural contexts and take part in a shared experience that transcends physical and social barriers.
By combining games, art and sport, FRIDAS promotes a space where every identity is celebrated and inclusion becomes a central value of the rugby community.
The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
