The partners of the FUSION project, co-funded by the European Union, gathered in Riga, Latvia, from May 22-24, 2026, for their latest international project meeting.

The project Future links for University athletes with Sports clubs Integrating Organised Networks (FUSION), with the motto thinking beyond University sport, continues its vital mission to bridge the gap between university sports and local sports clubs, ensuring that young graduates maintain active, healthy lifestyles after finishing their studies.

The meeting was integrated into the vibrant atmosphere of the SELL Games event, hosted by the Latvian University Sports Federation (LUSF/LASS). In addition to their dedicated working sessions, partners were able to immerse themselves in the university sports spirit by following the SELL Games sports and education programme.

The main project-focused meeting took place on May 23 at the premises of the Latvian Football Federation at the Rimi Olympic Center in Riga. The afternoon was structured around evaluating past milestones, synchronization of administrative tasks, and mapping out the project's future legacy.

The session opened with greetings by the hosts and EUSA as project coordinators, as well as introductions of the international delegates of the partners and invited guests, establishing a collaborative environment for the day's discussions.  Partners then looked back at core milestones achieved so far, reviewing project deliverables and evaluating the insights gained from past local events held end of last year in Lithuania and Germany.  The discussion transitioned into a review of recent and current activities in France and Latvia and coordination for the upcoming tasks. A dedicated segment focused on administrative transparency, tracking financials, communication strategies, and reporting mechanisms to ensure smooth execution. The meeting concluded with a strategic look at the project's final phases, focusing on widespread dissemination and long-term sustainability with impact for university athletes across Europe.

The collaborative efforts in Riga have solidified a clear path forward as the FUSION project enters its final stretches. By advocating for flexible sports programming and fostering tighter cooperation between universities and local club networks, the partners remain fully committed to tackling post-graduation sports dropout.

To stay updated on the project initiatives and resources, please visit the official website at fusion.eusa.eu.