JOY Project Reaches 22,000 Judoka Across Europe
January 2026
More than 22,000 participants of all ages and 349 judo coaches across Europe have benefited from the JOY – Judo Connecting Older and Younger Generations Erasmus+ Sport project. After two years of research and pilot activities, the JOY project is now creating a free, multilingual online tool to support safe and inclusive judo training.
More children, adults, and seniors are now training together. Intergenerational judo brings social and educational benefits, but also demands new coaching skills. JOY provides coaches with practical, science-based guidance to meet these challenges.
Promotional Events & JOY Talks
In 2025, 19 events across Europe brought together younger and older judoka, coaches, and local communities. Participants reported stronger connections between generations, increased motivation among older judoka, and a greater sense of community in clubs. These events helped shape the JOY online educational programme.
The JOY Talks interview series highlighted personal stories of intergenerational impact. As Ms. Licia Maristella, 85-year-old judoka, shared:
“I would say that it’s never too late! There are many levels of judo, and everyone can adapt to their own abilities… Even the brain stays active because you have to memorise all the kata movements and judo techniques perfectly… And your grandchildren will have something to proudly tell their friends, ‘My grandparents do judo.’“
Her experience shows how JOY strengthens skills and relationships, inspiring judoka of all ages to engage actively in judo and in life.
Scientific and Digital Innovation
JOY represents one of the first large-scale European initiatives to systematically address intergenerational coaching in judo. A key milestone of the project’s second year was the development of a strong scientific foundation for the JOY online educational programme.
This foundation is built on three complementary scientific pillars. First, an international empirical study involving 349 judo coaches examined coaching roles, safety considerations, group dynamics, barriers, and professional development needs in mixed-age training environments. The study provides original, data-driven insights directly grounded in coaching practice and is available as an open-access scientific publication in Frontiers in Psychology.
Second, these findings are complemented by a peer-reviewed systematic review published in Sports (MDPI), which mapped and analysed existing scientific evidence on intergenerational judo practice, coaching approaches, benefits, and safety considerations. The review situates the JOY project within the broader international research landscape and confirms the relevance and innovation of its approach.
Third, the project’s methodology and scientific results were presented at the European College of Sport Science Annual Congress, contributing to the international dialogue on coaching innovation, lifelong sport participation, and intergenerational learning.
Towards a Global Educational Tool
The JOY prototype online tool is currently under development on the IJF Academy platform, positioning the project within the global judo education ecosystem. The tool will offer an interactive, multilingual, and collaborative learning environment for coaches worldwide.
Coaches’ feedback from pilot activities will help improve the tool. Full free access is expected by the end of 2026, allowing long-term impact across the judo community.
Coordinator’s Statement
“In just two years, the JOY project has moved from visionary planning to tangible results that respond directly to the realities of judo coaching,” says Dr. Slaviša Bradić, Lead Consortium Coordinator, Judo Club Rijeka.
“By combining solid scientific knowledge with the everyday experiences of coaches across Europe, we are building a tool that strengthens clubs, supports coaches, and connects generations. Intergenerational judo is not just a method; it is a pathway to inclusion, resilience, and stronger communities.”
About JOY
The JOY project is a three-year Erasmus+ Sport initiative dedicated to enhancing intergenerational solidarity and well-being through judo. By equipping coaches with innovative, scientifically supported educational tools, the project promotes safe, inclusive, and lifelong participation in judo for all ages.
More information: www.judojoy.eu
Media inquiries and interviews are available upon request.
Follow JOY:
• Facebook: JOY – Judo Connecting Older and Younger Generations
• Instagram: @joy.eu.project
Stay tuned for updates and get ready to explore the fully accessible JOY online tool by the end of 2026!
#JudoJoy #IntergenerationalJudo #ErasmusPlus
Intergenerational Judo is growing fast with Project JOY
June 2025
At the halfway point of the three-year Erasmus+ Sport initiative Judo Connecting Older and Younger Generations – JOY, a consortium of nine partners from eight countries is creating powerful bonds between generations across Europe. Since its launch, JOY has welcomed over 1.800 participants through 16 intergenerational workshops and events. From complete beginners stepping onto the tatami for the first time to lifelong judo practitioners sharing their wisdom, the project truly embodies the spirit of judo: mutual respect, continuous learning, and inclusive growth.
These promotional events play an important role in the project’s overall strategy, serving as valuable opportunities to gather experiences and feedback that will feed into its main deliverable: an online educational tool for judo coaches, featuring scientifically grounded resources tailored to safely engage participants of all ages. The digital tool, set to launch by the end of 2026, will be hosted on the IJF Academy platform and promises to strengthen intergenerational judo far beyond the project’s lifespan.
Dr. Slaviša Bradić, project lead coordinator, highlights:
“We are proud to be part of the JOY project alongside our partners. Together, we strengthen communities across Europe by bridging generational gaps through judo. Judo is more than just a sport; it’s a bridge between generations that builds respect, health, lifelong knowledge transfer, social skills, and a shared love for sport and community.”
You can explore highlights from JOY events at https://judojoy.eu/promotional-events/ and follow the project on social media:
Facebook: JOY – Judo Connecting Older and Younger Generations
Instagram: @joy.eu.project
Stay informed and join the conversation with #JudoJoy #IntergenerationalJudo #ErasmusPlus
Building Bridges Across Generations: The JOY of Judo
January 2025
Judo is more than a sport – it is a catalyst for social change, fostering solidarity and strengthening community bonds. The JOY Project (Judo Connecting Older and Younger Generations) is an innovative three-year Erasmus+ Sport initiative aimed at strengthening community bonds through judo. With €400,000 in EU funding, the project brings together experts from eight countries to foster intergenerational connections and promote health, inclusion, and lifelong learning.
To achieve these goals, the JOY Project will equip coaches with the knowledge and tools needed to safely and effectively engage participants of all ages. By addressing age-specific physical and psycho-social needs, such as balance, coordination, motivation, and self-confidence, coaches can foster meaningful intergenerational exchanges. Central to the project is an online educational platform, which will provide scientifically grounded resources to support the planning and delivery of intergenerational judo program. Through this initiative, JOY will enhance participation, bridge generational gaps, and promote lifelong involvement in judo as a unifying force for communities.
Project Objectives
- Promote Intergenerational Judo: Enhance physical, social, and psychological well-being across generations.
- Develop Educational Tools: Build an online platform to equip judo coaches with intergenerational teaching resources.
- Foster Inclusion: Encourage participation in intergenerational judo to strengthen communities.
Uniting Partners Across Europe
- Judo Club Rijeka – Lead Partner, Croatia
- IJF Academy (International Judo Federation Academy Foundation), Malta
- European Judo Union (EJU), Austria
- University of Rome Foro Italico, Italy
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sports, Slovenia
- Judo Club Golovec, Slovenia
- Club de Judo Newton, Spain
- Judo Club Liberty Oradea, Romania
- İzmir Alsancak Jimnastik İhtisas Spor Kulübü, Turkiye
First Year’s Highlights
Since its launch in January 2024, the JOY Consortium has achieved the following milestones:
- Project Meetings: Kick-Off in Rijeka, Croatia (March 2024) and Transnational Meeting in Portorož, Slovenia (July 2024).
- Project Launch and Digital Presence: Successfully launched the project website and social media platforms, with regular updates to engage the community and share progress.
- Evidence-Based Research: Completed a literature review on intergenerational judo practices.
- Scientific Contribution: Published Intergenerational Judo: Synthesizing Knowledge Across Ages in MDPI Sports (June 2024), consolidating insights into the benefits and risks of intergenerational judo.
- Conference Presentation: Shared findings at the Italian Society of Motor and Sports Sciences (SISMeS 2024) in Rome, Italy.
- Community Engagement: Organized six local events to raise awareness about the impact of intergenerational judo.
Slaviša Bradić, PhD, Lead Consortium Coordinator, Judo Club Rijeka:
“The JOY project aims to bridge generational gaps and empower judo coaches with the knowledge and skills to foster meaningful connections through judo. Building on the success of the EDJCO project (Educating Judo Coaches for Older Practitioners), we will enhance judo coaching competencies to create programs that unite the elderly and youth, promoting health and relationships.”
JOY Goals Aligned with European and Global Goals
JOY directly supports European initiatives on active ageing and youth participation in physical activities. The project addresses the need for intergenerational solidarity and improved well-being through physical activity.
- For Older Adults: Helps combat isolation, improves physical stability, and reduces fall-related injuries.
- For Youth: Encourages active lifestyles, builds resilience, and promotes teamwork.
- Bridging Generations: Breaks stereotypes and fosters mutual understanding through shared judo experiences.
Looking Ahead
Over the next two years, the JOY project will implement a tailored program for judo coaches, publish scientific papers, and participate in scientific and judo-related events. Dissemination activities, led by Judo Club Golovec, will ensure the project’s visibility across Europe and internationally. For updates and resources, please visit: www.judojoy.eu
Follow the JOY project on social media:
- Facebook: JOY – Judo Connecting Older and Younger Generations
- Instagram: @joy.eu.project
#JudoJoy #IntergenerationalJudo #ErasmusPlus