As the RESTART project approaches its conclusion, it leaves behind more than reports, manuals, and pilot activities. It leaves behind momentum. A movement. A growing awareness that inclusive outdoor sport is not only possible — it is essential. But what happens now? What lies beyond the final deliverables?This article outlines the next steps for the RESTART consortium and the communities it touched. Because when a project ends, the real work often begins.
1. Replicating the Pilots LocallyThe pilot projects in Portugal, Spain, and Poland were designed not as one-off events, but as models to be replicated. Local clubs, municipalities, and schools that took part are now equipped with the tools and experience to continue offering inclusive aquatic sport activities. Several partners have already committed to repeating sessions, scaling up participation, and embedding adaptive practices in their regular programming.
2. Publishing the RESTART Recommendations ManualThe final phase of RESTART includes the release of the Recommendations Manual, a practical guide for any organization looking to implement inclusive water sport programs. Short, actionable, and easy to read, this document draws directly from the pilot experiences. It includes advice on planning, staff training, partnership building, adaptive equipment, and community engagement. It will be freely available in open-access format for replication at local, regional, or international levels.
3. Training New MultipliersThe RESTART team will continue investing in training new instructors and volunteers using the materials developed during the project. The goal is to create a multiplying effect: each trained person becomes a change agent in their community, capable of starting or supporting inclusive outdoor sport initiatives. This training can take the form of workshops, online sessions, or partnerships with sport and education institutions.
4. Advocating for Structural ChangeBeyond the water, RESTART partners are also preparing to advocate for stronger inclusion policies at national and European levels. The project results demonstrate the impact of inclusive sport on mental health, community connection, and social participation. These insights will feed into proposals, meetings, and networks that influence sport funding and disability rights.5. Building a European NetworkRESTART is the seed for a broader European network of inclusive aquatic sport actors. The connections built between Portugal, Spain, and Poland will now extend to other countries, organizations, and projects. This could include new Erasmus+ partnerships, strategic alliances with Paralympic committees, or collaborations with nature and health-focused NGOs.6. Sustaining the Digital LegacyAll RESTART materials — including the website, Compendium of Good Practices, Communication Toolkit, and Manuals — will remain online and accessible. The project’s digital identity will continue to serve as a hub for ideas, tools, and updates. The consortium is also exploring ways to transform the website into a living platform that supports users long after the official end of the project.
RESTART is Just the BeginningRESTART may be wrapping up its formal activities, but the spark it ignited is only growing. The project showed that inclusion in outdoor aquatic sport can be real, sustainable, and scalable. Now, it’s up to each of us — as practitioners, policymakers, educators, or simply citizens — to keep paddling forward.
The waves made by RESTART don’t end at the shore. They ripple outward, shaping a more inclusive future for all.