ASD ADELANTE: the sardinian soul leading the islands project

ISLANDS is a project co-funded by the European Union. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The ISLANDS journey begins in Sardinia, where ADELANTE, the coordinating organisation of the project, has its roots. Known for its strong connection to local communities and for its commitment to sport as a tool for education, inclusion and personal growth, ADELANTE brings to the partnership a mix of experience, vision and authentic island identity.

a local organisation with a wider horizon

ADELANTE was founded with a simple but powerful idea: sport can transform people and places. Over the years, the organisation has worked with young people, adults, volunteers, newcomers and people with fewer opportunities, always focusing on creating spaces where everyone feels welcome. Sardinia’s landscapes—its mountains, endless coastline and small rural villages—shape the way ADELANTE works. Activities are often designed outdoors, in direct contact with nature, reinforcing the idea that movement, environment and well-being are deeply connected.

Although deeply rooted in the island’s traditions, ADELANTE has developed a strong international outlook. It regularly participates in European programmes and has built a solid network of partners who share the same belief in the social power of sport. This combination of local experience and international cooperation made the organisation a natural choice to lead the ISLANDS project.

why adelante is the right coordinator for islands

The role of coordinator requires clarity of vision, organisational skills and the ability to connect different realities. ADELANTE brings all this and more.Its team has long worked on social inclusion, environmental education and community development through sport. They understand the challenges that many islands face: limited access to services, environmental pressures, geographical isolation and the struggle to create opportunities for young people. At the same time, they recognise the enormous potential that islands hold when sport is used as a bridge between people, cultures and generations.

Within ISLANDS, ADELANTE will guide the partnership in designing training activities, coordinating transnational meetings, supporting the creation of project outputs and ensuring that each part of the journey remains consistent with the project’s mission. Their approach is participatory: they work alongside coaches, volunteers and citizens, giving value to every voice and every story.

a vision shaped by sardinia

Sardinia is not just ADELANTE’s home; it is the source of its identity.The island’s beauty, its ancient traditions and its strong sense of community influence the organisation’s work every day. From small inland towns to coastal areas shaped by tourism, Sardinia reflects many of the social and environmental challenges that the ISLANDS project aims to address. This makes ADELANTE particularly aware of what it means to live in a remote territory: the opportunities, the fragilities and the potential.

This sensitivity translates into concrete action. ADELANTE has developed initiatives that help young people reconnect with their environment, rediscover local heritage, build confidence through physical activity and learn how to collaborate across differences. These experiences are now a valuable resource for the entire ISLANDS partnership.

preparing the ground for the three-island alliance

As coordinator, ADELANTE plays a key role in bringing together the three islands involved in the project. Their ability to connect stories, landscapes and people helps create a shared space where every partner can contribute its strengths. With ADELANTE’s guidance, the three-island alliance becomes more than a working group: it becomes a meaningful exchange between Mediterranean and Atlantic perspectives, united by the belief that sport can support communities and protect the territories they belong to.

This is the spirit that drives ADELANTE, and it sets the tone for the whole project.In the next article, we will introduce the other two partners—Asociación Balear de Taekwon-Do from Ibiza and CATTT from São Miguel in the Azores—and explore how the three islands together form a unique, interconnected partnership.