The European University Sports Association (EUSA) and the EUSA Institute once again participated in the LUPA Festival, held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on September 3rd.

Organized by the Slovenian Centre for Information Service, Co-operation, and Development of NGOs (CNVOS), the festival aims to raise awareness about the role of non-governmental organizations, showcase their activities, highlight the issues they address, foster collaboration between different groups, and encourage open dialogue and stronger cooperation at local, national, and international levels.

This year, 66 organizations showcased their work at the festival, which took place on Prešeren Square in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana.

The EUSA stand was set up and hosted by the EUSA Project and Communications Officer, Hristina Hristova.

Visitors of all ages and backgrounds, from children and students to adults and seniors, showed great curiosity about EUSA’s mission, with many particularly appreciating its efforts to inspire younger generations of students to stay active and engaged through sport.

Besides our sporting events and initiatives, we shared our vision for active, healthy living, international exchange opportunities, and a variety of ongoing EU-funded projects, such as Fit4Green, DiscoverU,  European Solidarity Corps volunteering, Erasmus+ internships, and FUSION. In particular, sustainability and a green future were central to our conversations, where we showcased key outcomes from the Fit4Green initiative.

We also presented the upcoming European Universities Winter Championships and provided insights into future events within the EUSA programme, including the European Universities Games, various Championships, and the introduction of new sports events, such as the European Universities Athletics Championships in 2027. This announcement drew particular interest from young students practicing running and track & field, who were excited about the opportunity to see their sport included in the programme.

The LUPA Festival in Ljubljana is the largest annual event dedicated to non-governmental organizations in Slovenia, offering a vibrant space for NGOs to present their work, connect with the public, and strengthen cooperation with local and international partners.

We are thankful to CNVOS for organising this festival and giving us the chance and proof that if we work together, we work better.