From September 26 to 28, 2025, the heart of Genoa’s historic center – a UNESCO World Heritage site – hosted the Mini Handball Festival, organized by Master Group Sport as part of the European project HIEP – Handball International Education Project. The event took place during the Caruggiadi, turning Genoa’s iconic narrow streets into a lively stage for sports and community engagement.

The main goal was to introduce children and young people to the fundamentals of handball in a fun and accessible way, promoting values such as fair play, teamwork, and physical activity in an urban setting.

On Friday, September 26, more than 60 primary and middle school students took part in basic drills and mini challenges led by certified coaches from the Italian Handball Federation. On Sunday, the excitement continued with another 60 participants aged 5 to 14, accompanied by their families, for a day full of games and inclusion.

In total, over 120 young participants experienced handball in a safe and educational environment, strengthening ties between schools, families, and the federation. The event highlighted handball’s potential as an accessible and engaging sport, laying the foundation for future grassroots initiatives in Genoa.

The HIEP initiative is a Europe-wide educational program supported by the Erasmus+ Sport framework, bringing together partners from Italy, Greece, Romania, and Belgium. Its mission is to enhance handball coaching standards, encourage regular physical activity with a strong emphasis on tackling childhood obesity, and promote social inclusion by making sports accessible to everyone.