IBSA launches Europe to Africa Mentorship and Partnership Programme

The International Blind Sports Federation launched the Europe to Africa Mentorship and Partnership Programme in April 2026. The pilot phase pairs European blind sports federations with African counterparts under a partnership rather than a donor model.

The programme grew out of the IBSA New Vision Africa Conference, held in Morocco on 6 to 7 September 2025 and attended by International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons and IBSA President Ilgar Rahimov. IBSA Executive Board Member Ioanna Karyofylli proposed the structured mentorship concept, and the initiative aligns with IBSA's Action Plan 2025 to 2030.

European federations will mentor African organisations on governance, athlete pathways, and event delivery. The model deliberately moves away from one-sided assistance and treats African federations as active co-implementers, with IBSA providing coordination and strategic support.