TPM4 and SMICEE 2026 Conference - Žilina, Slovakia

From 13-15 April 2026, the ARCH-ed partners met in Žilina, Slovakia, for the final transnational project meeting hosted by the University of Žilina.

The meeting provided an opportunity to review the activities implemented throughout the project, evaluate the achieved results, and discuss the overall impact of ARCH-ed on the horseback archery community. Partners reflected on the knowledge, experiences, and good practices exchanged during the project, while also exploring possibilities for future cooperation.

As part of the programme, partners attended the 3rd International Conference "Sports Management in Central & Eastern Europe (SMICEE 2026): Grassroots and Club Development Perspectives". The conference brought together researchers, sport managers, policymakers, club representatives, and practitioners to discuss current trends and challenges in grassroots sport development, community engagement, digitalisation, and sustainable sport management.

During the conference, the ARCH-ed partnership presented the project's achievements and outcomes, including the educational resources developed for coaches, practitioners, and horseback archery organisations. Particular attention was given to the HOW2 educational video series, which covers topics such as coaching, sport management, event organisation, and equine welfare.

The final meeting marked the successful completion of the ARCH-ed project, highlighting the strong cooperation established between partner organisations from Slovakia, Poland, and Finland. Through workshops, educational materials, international exchanges, and practical learning activities, the project has contributed to the continued development and professionalisation of horseback archery in Europe.

We would like to thank all project partners and the University of Žilina for their commitment, cooperation, and support throughout this inspiring journey.

While the ARCH-ed Excellence project has successfully come to an end, our cooperation continues. In January 2026, we launched a new Erasmus+ Sport project, ARCHed HORIZONS - Promoting Equestrian Martial Arts in Europe, building on the knowledge, partnerships, and achievements developed through our previous ARCH-ed initiatives. 

ARCHed HORIZONS expands the scope of our work beyond horseback archery to the wider Historical Eurasian Cavalry Discipline (HEC), including mounted archery, sabre, and spear techniques. Through international cooperation, training activities, and the development of new educational resources, the project aims to support the growth, accessibility, and professionalisation of equestrian martial arts across Europe.

More information coming soon!

If you would like to see more photos please follow this link HERE.