Representatives of HAŠK Mladost took part in one of the world’s leading conferences dedicated to diabetes and technology – ATTD (Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes), which in 2026 took place in Barcelona.

ATTD is an international scientific conference that brings together physicians, researchers, technology companies, sports professionals, and health organisations from around the world. The aim of the conference is to present the latest research, technologies, and treatment approaches related to diabetes, while fostering collaboration between medicine, technology, and the global diabetes community.

The conference is held annually, and ATTD 2026 took place in Barcelona from 11 to 14 March, gathering thousands of participants from more than 80 countries. During the event, experts exchanged knowledge on innovations such as continuous glucose monitoring, artificial intelligence in diabetes care, digital health solutions, and new therapeutic approaches.

Presenting the DiaPS initiative

At the conference, Ines Jakopanec, designer and communications specialist at HAŠK Mladost, presented the DiaPS – Diabetes Digital Peer Support initiative, a digital platform designed for people living with Type 1 diabetes, particularly athletes and physically active individuals.

Her presentation highlighted how the platform emerged as a continuation of the European Sports & Diabetes project, within which a widely used handbook on sport and diabetes was developed, translated into several languages, and distributed across Europe. However, the most important outcome of that project was not only the educational material, but the community that formed around it.

Participants repeatedly emphasised that one of the most valuable aspects of the project was the opportunity to connect with others who share similar experiences of living and training with diabetes. This insight inspired the creation of a digital platform that could make this kind of peer support accessible to a much wider community.

The DiaPS platform allows users to:

• connect with athletes, families, and health professionals,
• access trusted educational content about sport and diabetes,
• share experiences within a peer-to-peer community,
• find practical advice for managing diabetes while staying active.

A key message of the presentation was the importance of community and peer support, as the lived experience of athletes successfully managing diabetes in sport can often be just as valuable as clinical expertise.

Connecting sport, technology, and community

Participation at the ATTD conference provided an opportunity to present this initiative to an international audience of experts in medicine, technology, and sport, while also opening the door for new collaborations.

Through initiatives like DiaPS, HAŠK Mladost continues to contribute to projects that connect sport, health, and digital innovation, helping people living with diabetes participate in sport more safely and confidently.