The Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Leadership Conference 2026 will bring together leaders, partners, and changemakers from across the region in the vibrant city of Belgrade.
Guided by the theme “Inspired by the Past. Leading to the Future.”, this landmark event will serve as a space to reflect on the achievements and legacy of the Special Olympics movement while actively shaping its future direction.
More than just a conference, this gathering is designed to connect people, ideas, and opportunities. It will offer a dynamic environment for networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, enabling participants to build meaningful partnerships that extend far beyond the event itself.
Attendees will include:
Through a series of engaging panel discussions, interactive workshops, and thought-provoking sessions, participants will explore innovative approaches to inclusion, leadership, and program development. The conference will highlight best practices, spark new ideas, and encourage open dialogue on how to create lasting impact across Europe and Eurasia. Together, we will strengthen partnerships, share expertise, and reaffirm our collective commitment to empowering athletes with intellectual disabilities and building more inclusive communities through sport.
Belgrade, Serbia | 1–3 November 2026
Ahead of the Leadership Conference, Belgrade will host the 2026 Regional Athlete Leadership Congress, a key gathering dedicated to empowering athlete leaders from across the Special Olympics movement.
This Congress will bring together approximately 30 athlete leaders and their mentors from our region, creating a unique platform for athletes to:
The event will also play an important role as a pre-congress milestone leading toward the 2027 Global Congress at the Summer World Games in Santiago, Chile.
Hosting the Congress alongside the Leadership Conference reflects a strong commitment to integrating athlete voices into strategic discussions—building on the success of previous events such as Berlin 2024.
As part of the Congress, selected athlete leaders and their mentors will have the opportunity to participate in peer-to-peer learning, mentorship, and capacity-building activities. This experience will not only strengthen local programs but also prepare participants to contribute to future leadership structures, including the 2028–2031 term.
By placing athletes at the center of the conversation, the Congress ensures that leadership within Special Olympics continues to be inclusive, representative, and forward-looking.
Discover the full conference program, including sessions, speakers and key moments.
Please note that the agenda is subject to change. The latest version will always be available on this page.
We are bringing together distinguished proffesionals, industry leaders and inpiring voices from around the world
Our speaker lineup is currently being finalized.
Stay tuned – we’ll be announcing inspiring voices and industry experts soon.
A dedicated team bringing an international experience to Belgrade