The European Aquatics (EA) AquaSafe Kids (ASK) project has received approval from the European Commission.
This initiative, funded through Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships, will run for 36 months and has a total budget of €400,000 to be shared with all partners.
European Aquatics President Antonio Silva took the opportunity offered by the ongoing Women’s U18 Water Polo championships in Malta to visit the island and discuss details of the project with the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, which has been helping to co-ordinate the initiative.
“This is a fantastic and significant milestone in our quest to engage a generation of young people with the satisfactions and safety benefits of swimming.
“We are hugely grateful for the co-operation and generous financial backing of the European Commission in a project that is close to the hearts of all within the European Aquatics community.”
The goal of the project is to foster healthy lifestyles by embedding structured swimming education within school environments, prioritising regular engagement, water confidence, and inclusivity.
The President of Malta ASA Karl Izzo said: “This agreement marks yet another significant milestone for the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, which is proud to lead this important project in collaboration with European Aquatics and fellow federations. Together, we are committed to making water a safer environment for everyone.
As President, I am especially proud of our role in this initiative. Surrounded by the sea, Malta’s unique geographical setting makes this project all the more meaningful for us. It aligns strongly with our sense of Corporate Social Responsibility and forms a key part of our legacy—particularly as we celebrate the ASA’s 100th anniversary this year.
Our vision is to work hand in hand with all relevant stakeholders—from ASA member clubs to the Ministry of Education and SportMalta—to embed basic swimming and water safety skills into our national educational curriculum. This is an investment in future generations and a crucial step towards ensuring that every child in Malta is given the tools to be safe and confident in and around water.”
ASK is fully in line with the EA Strategic Plan, focusing on Safety & Accessibility, Wellbeing & Healthy Lifestyles, and Innovation & Education.
The project will deliver:
• A European teaching framework that emphasizes inclusive pedagogy, known as the Water Education Toolkit (WET)
• An organisational toolkit for local authorities and pool managers, called the Water Safety Organisational Toolkit (WOT)
• A gamified digital platform to motivate and track the progress of children, families, and schools.
Supported by the Special Olympics, this transnational effort advances the EU’s objectives for health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) and inclusion.
The project features instructor training, national pilots, and multilingual resources to lower barriers and boost participation, especially among children with disabilities.
The project has brought together partners including the Croatian Swimming Federation, Eesti Ujumisliit (Estonia), Austrian Swimming Federation, Magyar Úszó Szövetség (Hungary), Georgian Aquatic Sports National Federation, Bulgarian Swimming Federation, the University of Zagreb (Faculty of Kinesiology), and SportMalta.
European Aquatics, which is involved as an Associated Partner, will soon share more information regarding the project’s kick-off, timeline, and country-specific activities.
Mike Rowbottom for European Aquatics
