Basketball Ireland attend conclusion of EU-Funded PROMISE Project at Final Forum in Barcelona

Basketball Ireland proudly joined partners from across Europe in Barcelona this May for the final forum of the PROMISE Project—a two-and-a-half-year EU-funded initiative dedicated to supporting and advancing women’s basketball.

The project brought together the basketball federations of Bulgaria, Ireland, Portugal, Kosovo, Catalunya, and Ligue Nouvelle-Aquitaine (France), along with academic partner Ramon Llull University, to develop inclusive and sustainable strategies for female participation and leadership in basketball.

Led in Ireland by Paul Carr, Basketball Ireland’s Grants and Participation Manager, the PROMISE Project delivered a wide range of impactful activities over its duration. These included mentorship programmes, a documentary, an international campus and short videos, a hackathon, a comic book, presidential and media training workshops, and sustainability workshops.

 Basketball Ireland's Grants and Participation Manager Paul Carr speaking at the concluding event in Barcelona. 

At the final forum in Barcelona, Basketball Ireland was represented by Paul Carr and referee Emer Buckley. Emer shared her personal journey through the project. Emer served as a mentor in the PROMISE Mentorship Programme and participated in the International Campus, highlighting the growth, confidence, and opportunity that emerged from her involvement. The final forum provided an opportunity for all project partners to present the findings of the project and show the impact it has had in each country.

Speaking at the forum, Paul Carr expressed deep gratitude for the collaboration and outcomes of the project:

“On behalf of Basketball Ireland, I want to sincerely thank all those who have contributed to the PROMISE Project over the last two and a half years. This initiative has brought positive and lasting change to our organisation—especially in how we support and develop women’s basketball. The mentorship programmes for aspiring female referees and coaches have become a key programme, and we are committed to building on this progress “