One of the key ambitions of the INSHAPE European Network of Innovation Hubs is to support innovative solutions that address societal challenges while strengthening collaboration between European regions. The in2steps project is a strong example of this approach, bringing together expertise in sustainability, accessibility, inclusion, and digital innovation to transform how sports events are planned and managed.
Developed by Barcelona Zero Limits (Spain), LOMARTOV (Spain) and LittleShark (Hungary), in2steps aims to create a smart digital platform that helps sports event organisers embed sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity into every stage of event delivery. The platform offers a multilingual, all-in-one solution designed for organisers, staff, volunteers, participants, local authorities, venues, and other stakeholders involved in the sports event ecosystem.
The Challenge: making sustainable and inclusive events easier
The idea behind in2steps emerged from the partners’ shared experience in the sports sector. While sustainability and inclusion are increasingly recognised as priorities, their implementation often remains fragmented, especially among small and medium-sized events that lack practical tools and guidance. Drawing on Barcelona Zero Limits’ experience in organising inclusive sporting events such as Wodcelona, LOMARTOV’s expertise in environmental impact assessment, and LittleShark’s capabilities in digital platform development, the consortium identified a significant gap in the market: the lack of a single integrated solution capable of supporting organisers across environmental, social, and operational dimensions.
The project was therefore conceived as a practical response to these challenges. Rather than focusing solely on event management, the platform actively integrates sustainability and inclusion into planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation processes. It provides guidelines, training materials, assessment tools, measurable indicators, and user-friendly workflows that help event organisers adopt more responsible and accessible practices.
Participation in the I3-INSHAPE Innovation Support Programme did not fundamentally change the project vision, but it played a crucial role in refining and strengthening it. The programme helped the consortium better understand market needs, engage a broader range of stakeholders, and transform an initial concept into a more structured product. Through this process, the partners developed clearer validation methods, evidence-based checklists, dashboard indicators, and a stronger strategy for future market adoption.
The consortium considers two aspects of the programme particularly valuable for its growth:
- Interregional collaboration opportunities, which allowed the project to benefit from diverse perspectives, expertise, and user feedback from across Europe.
- Visibility and networking activities, including events, matchmaking opportunities, and dissemination channels that increased awareness of the project and facilitated connections with potential users, partners, and future clients.
Thanks to this collaborative approach, in2steps has already achieved several important milestones. One of the most significant has been the successful alignment of the consortium’s complementary expertise and the launch of an extensive co-creation process involving organisers, volunteers, participants, and other stakeholders. Feedback collected through real events, particularly Wodcelona, has directly influenced the platform’s design, helping define usability requirements, content structures, and practical functionalities.
At the same time, substantial progress has been made in the development of the platform itself. Building on the existing NeoBook infrastructure, the consortium has integrated new functionalities focused on sustainability assessment, accessibility and inclusion criteria, multilingual support, evidence-based evaluation tools, and user-centred workflows. In parallel, dedicated training materials and assessment frameworks have been developed to support behavioural change and encourage more sustainable and inclusive practices across the sports events sector.
From co-creation to market readiness
One of the moments the consortium is most proud of was the successful validation of the project’s vision through the early co-creation activities carried out within the Wodcelona ecosystem. Engaging directly with organisers, volunteers, participants, and technical experts confirmed the need for an integrated solution and generated valuable practical insights that continue to shape the platform today. Another significant achievement has been the launch of the project’s public website and the advancement of platform development, demonstrating that the consortium is not only conceptualising innovation but actively building a market-ready solution.
The I3-INSHAPE ecosystem has played a particularly important role throughout this journey. Networking activities, collaborative events, and opportunities to exchange ideas with other innovators have enabled the consortium to test assumptions, gather feedback, and continuously improve the platform based on real-world needs. This process has strengthened stakeholder engagement while helping ensure that the final solution will be practical, scalable, and aligned with user expectations.
What makes the project unique is its ability to combine event management, sustainability, accessibility, and inclusion within a single digital environment. Through real-life pilots such as Wodcelona, the consortium is continuously validating and refining the solution to ensure that it delivers meaningful value for sports organisations while supporting Europe’s green, digital, and inclusive transition.
Looking ahead, the partners encourage other SMEs in the sports and vitality sector to take full advantage of collaborative opportunities offered by initiatives such as INSHAPE. According to the consortium, innovation grows faster when knowledge is openly shared, partnerships are embraced, and organisations actively engage with wider European ecosystems. Beyond funding, programmes such as I3-INSHAPE provide visibility, networking opportunities, access to potential clients, and the foundations for long-term growth and scalability.
The in2steps project demonstrates how collaboration between organisations with complementary expertise can generate practical solutions for some of the sports sector’s most pressing challenges. By helping organisers create more sustainable, accessible, and inclusive events, the project is contributing to a stronger and more responsible European sports ecosystem.