Abstract:

The European Volleyball Confederation (CEV)'s long-standing project, "Play Volleyball, Grow With It" (PVGW), launched in 2018 with funding from Erasmus+, has evolved to enrich volleyball and lifelong education for children aged 6 to 14. PVGW supports national federations (NFs) by providing volleyball educational materials, administrative support, and expert knowledge through diverse educational events. Additionally, CEV offers financial and material backing, alongside consultation. The primary aim is to introduce volleyball to young children, fostering lifelong skills, physical fitness, social capabilities, and socialization.

Since its inception, PVGW has experienced substantial growth, expanding from 4 NFs initially to 29 NFs for the 2024/2025 school year. This growth underscores successful implementation and robust international partnerships. Engaging 29 NFs and 3 partner organizations demonstrates PVGW’s capacity to cultivate international cooperation, enriching educational experiences for participants and stakeholders.

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of PVGW, focusing on its structure, factors contributing to its scale and quality expansion, and encountered challenges. Methodologically, the analysis employs document reviews, structured interviews with stakeholders, and partner surveys. Findings yield actionable recommendations to address challenges, ensuring project continuity and enhancement. Strategic solutions are identified to bolster impact and sustainability, offering insights applicable to global educational initiatives leveraging international cooperation.

In conclusion, the "Play Volleyball, Grow With It" project exemplifies how international collaboration can enrich educational initiatives and create lasting positive impacts on youth development. This study will contribute to a deeper understanding of the project's successes and challenges, offering a roadmap for future growth and improvement.

Keywords:

Erasmus+, international cooperation, volleyball education, youth development, sport, physical education, educational projects, CEV, Play Volleyball Grow With It.