There are 80 millions of handicapped people living in Europe. Because of their disability they are unable to function properly in their social, professional, and cultural life. One on six inhabitants of the European Union is handicapped in a moderate or severe degree. The idea to start the initiative to establish communication between cities originated in the post-war Europe. Partnership between cities and regions is beneficial not only for the developement of administrative units, but also it helps firms in establishing connections in many areas, has a positive impact on school children, students, athletes , and artists.
The idea to organise an event integrating the disabled and healthy athletes - "Europe without barriers" originated in Poznan in 2001 where such tournament was organized for the first time.
Next events of such type were organized by the following cities:
2002 Nottinghamshire
2003 Jyvaäskylä
2004 Nottinghamshire
2005 Debreczyn
2006 Poznan
2007 Poznan
2008 Jyvaäskylä