From November 21st to 23rd, 2025, representatives from seven countries gathered in snowy Zagreb for the first international training of the ORIUNITE – Orienteering for Unity project. Hosted by the Croatian Orienteering Federation and coordinated by ORIENTACTION (Cyprus), the training brought together educators, sport operators, youth workers and orienteering experts to explore how orienteering can serve as a powerful tool for peacebuilding, inclusion, and cross-border cooperation.
The three-day training combined theoretical sessions, field practices and best practice exchange. Among the highlights were:
- A presentation on the role of orienteering in divided areas, such as Nicosia (Cyprus), showcasing how mapping and sports can foster reconciliation;
- Field sessions in Zagreb’s urban parks, where participants practiced inclusive orienteering activities;
- Workshops on how to design and implement awareness workshops, cultural events, and local orienteering actions, which represent the three pillars of the project’s local phase.
The training also launched the work on the ORIUNITE documentary, a key deliverable that will collect stories, interviews and visuals from across the partnership to tell the impact of the project on local communities. All national teams are now preparing their action plans and are invited to contribute with high-quality footage and meaningful interviews, ensuring a coherent and impactful final product.
This event marked a key milestone in the ORIUNITE journey. Over the coming months, each partner will implement local activities in their country, with the aim of demonstrating how sport – and orienteering in particular – can promote unity in divided or post-conflict contexts.
Stay tuned as the ORIUNITE story unfolds across Europe!
