Project Presentations

Project Title:

Intelligent Digital Services for Supporting the European Fitness Monitoring System (i4EUFITMOS)

Overview:

i4EUFITMOS is an innovative Erasmus+ Sport project (Project No. 101185245), co-funded by the European Commission through the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). The project’s full title is “Intelligent Digital Services for Supporting the European Fitness Monitoring System.” It is part of the ERASMUS-SPORT-2024 action under the topic “Encouraging healthy lifestyles for all.”

Building on the legacy of the earlier EUFITMOS initiative, the i4EUFITMOS project aims to broaden the scope and scale of the European Fitness Monitoring System. It is deeply rooted in promoting health- enhancing physical activity (HEPA), especially among young people, and aligns with both the EU Physical Activity Guidelines and the Council Recommendation on HEPA.

Key Objectives:

• To achieve wide-scale, standardized implementation of the EUFITMOS fitness battery across Europe.
• To collect and disseminate comparable, valid, and reliable physical fitness data as an indicator of physical activity levels.
• To enhance the EUFITMOS online platform by integrating intelligent digital services that support data collection, analysis, dissemination, and policy development.
• To encourage innovation and digital transformation in the sport and fitness monitoring sectors.

Main Activities:

One of the central pillars of the i4EUFITMOS project is digitalization. The project will expand the EUFITMOS platform through:

• A new data upload interface for PE teachers.
• Real-time infographic generation for stakeholders.
• An intuitive chat-based interface to engage the general public.
• A module for exporting open fitness datasets to researchers.

These improvements are aimed at transforming the platform into a cutting-edge, user-friendly hub for fitness data and policy analysis.

Target Groups:

i4EUFITMOS focuses on the following primary audiences:

• Children and youth, who will be the main subjects of physical fitness monitoring.
• Physical Education (PE) teachers, who are essential for implementing and collecting data.
• Researchers and young scientists, who will benefit from open access to structured data.

Secondary target groups include policymakers and the general public, who can use fitness insights for policy planning and public awareness.

Partnership & Coordination:

The project involves a strong consortium of seven partners from across Europe:

• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece) – coordinator
• University of Lisbon (Portugal)
• Sports Union of Slovenia (Slovenia)
• German Association of Sports Teachers (Germany)
• Northern Greece Physical Education Teachers Association (Greece)
• University of Montenegro (Montenegro)
• Albanian of Sports Sciences Association (Albania)

Project Duration and Budget:

• Start Date: 1 December 2024
• Duration: 36 months
• Funding Programme: Erasmus+ Sport
• Funding Agency: European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
• Total Grant: €400,000 (lump sum)

Relevance and Impact:

i4EUFITMOS directly supports EU-wide goals of improving public health through sport and physical activity. By digitizing fitness data collection and providing advanced analytical tools, it empowers stakeholders with actionable insights. This project stands as a model for how technology can reinforce public policy and community wellness through strategic data use and collaboration.

Keywords:

Health-enhancing physical activity, Fitness data, Digital innovation, Analytics, Mobile applications, Intelligent services, PE monitoring, HEPA.l activity, Fitness data, Digital innovation, Analytics, Mobile applications, Intelligent services, PE monitoring, HEPA.

Project Title:

Empowering Older Adults for Collective Engagement (AGEFORCE)

Overview:

AGEFORCE is an Erasmus+ Sport project (Project No. 101243822) funded under the call ERASMUS-SPORT-2025-SCP (ERASMUS-LS) and managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

The project introduces a bottom-up citizen engagement and collective intelligence framework that enables older adults to actively participate in shaping initiatives that improve their physical activity levels. AGEFORCE builds on participatory citizen science and aims to lay the groundwork for a Pan-European Citizen Science Hub on Active Ageing through the creation of Communities of Interest.

AGEFORCE focuses on both offline practices (training programs, counselling services, organized excursions, specialized gyms) and digital interventions (platforms, online booking systems, tele-coaching, and virtual communities), creating an integrated environment that supports active and healthy ageing across Europe.

Key Objectives:

AGEFORCE’s overall aim is to increase the physical activity levels of older adults, using the principle “for the people, by the people, and with the people.”

Its specific objectives are grouped into four thematic areas:

• Explore older adults’ visions regarding the future of physical activity provision.
• Diagnose behaviors and current practices, including value mapping and empathy analysis of personas.
• Design and evaluate the most appropriate interventions, including crowdsourcing, piloting, and producing a toolkit and blueprint.
• Enable Communities of Interest, supported by manuals, engagement processes, and a virtual interaction space.

Main Activities:

AGEFORCE delivers a practical citizen-science pathway that transforms older adults’ voices into real-world physical activity solutions. The project’s main activities include:

• Identifying and documenting good practices in active ageing and physical activity schemes, and translating them into a shared evidence base.
• Capturing older adults’ visions for what motivates them to stay active, and validating these visions through structured citizen engagement.
• Diagnosing behavioral barriers and trigger points using participatory tools such as value mapping and persona-based empathy analysis.
• Co-designing and piloting interventions combining offline activities and digital tools, supported by a dedicated crowdsourcing platform.
• Producing the “Active Older Adults Blueprint”, a concise policy and practice output supporting replication across Europe.
• Publishing a citizen panel manual, engagement plan, and web tools enabling other communities and organizations to reuse the methodology.

Target Groups:

AGEFORCE primarily targets:

• Older adults, who will participate in citizen panels, co-creation processes, and pilot interventions.

Secondary target groups include:

• Families and mediators (friends and relatives), supporting participation and motivation.
• Local stakeholders and social organizations, supporting inclusion of vulnerable groups.
• Policymakers and regional actors, who will benefit from the Blueprint and evidence-based recommendations.

Partnership & Coordination:

The consortium brings together six European partners:

• Tero P.C. (Greece) – coordinator
• CHESS – Center for Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences (Serbia)
• Municipality of Fyli (Greece)
• Poltava Polytechnic University (Ukraine)
• Egas Moniz (Portugal)
• ECSA – European Citizen Science Association (Germany)

Project Duration and Budget:

• Start Date: 1 January 2026
• Duration: 24 months
• Funding Programme: Erasmus+ Sport
• Funding Agency: European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
• Budget: €250,000.00

Relevance and Impact:

AGEFORCE contributes to key European priorities by promoting healthy ageing, increasing physical activity levels among older adults, and strengthening inclusive and participatory approaches in sport and health promotion. The project supports social inclusion and equal opportunities by ensuring participation across socio-economic, geographical, and gender groups. It also promotes environmental sustainability through the integration of active mobility as a practical and preferred form of physical activity for older adults. Through digitalization and collective intelligence tools such as crowdsourcing platforms and virtual Communities of Interest, AGEFORCE fosters innovation in citizen engagement and policy development. The project’s long-term legacy includes the creation of the Active Older Adults Blueprint and the foundations for a Pan-European Citizen Science Hub on Active Ageing, strengthening evidence-based sport policy and citizen-driven innovation across Europe.

Keywords:

Active ageing; physical activity; citizen science; collective intelligence; co-creation; communities of interest; crowdsourcing; social inclusion; behavioral change; digital tools; sustainability; active mobility.

Project Title:

Enhancing Active Ageing through Theatre and Movement (Creative Motion)

Overview:

Creative Motion is an Erasmus+ Sport project (Project No. 101243742) funded under the call ERASMUS-SPORT-2025-SSCP (ERASMUS-LS) and managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

The project is designed to promote active and healthy ageing by integrating theatre, expressive movement, and physical activity into an innovative, inclusive methodology for older adults. Running for 18 months (1 January 2026 – 30 June 2027), the project responds to the growing need for engaging, low impact physical activity solutions that are accessible to seniors who often face mobility challenges, social isolation, and limited opportunities to participate in traditional sports programmes.

By merging physical theatre, storytelling, and adapted movement practices, Creative Motion offers a holistic model that enhances physical mobility, cognitive stimulation, social connection, and emotional wellbeing.

Key Objectives:

The project’s overall aim is to merge theatre, expressive movement, and physical activity to promote active ageing.

Its specific objectives are grouped into three thematic areas:

• Increase physical activity among older adults through accessible theatre based movement sessions that improve mobility, coordination, cognitive recall, and emotional resilience.
• Build community capacity by training sports facilitators, senior care professionals, and community leaders in Greece, Bulgaria, and Cyprus, supported by a comprehensive Creative Movement Guide and Train the Trainer Workshops.
• Ensure long term sustainability and scalability by producing an Expressive Theatre & Movement Toolkit, organizing public performances, and engaging policymakers and institutions to foster wider adoption across Europe.

Main Activities:

• Development of a structured methodological framework integrating best practices from physical theatre, expressive movement, and adapted physical activity methodologies.
• Creation of an adaptable and inclusive programme through engagement with facilitators, theatre practitioners, and older adult participants.
• Establishment of the foundation for a replicable, scalable, and sustainable movement programme that ensures accessibility for diverse participant needs.
• Successful implementation of structured, inclusive movement sessions across three countries involved in the project, ensuring accessibility for older adults with diverse mobility levels, facilitating participant engagement in exercises designed to improve flexibility, coordination, cognitive recall, and emotional resilience.
• Provision of real-time mentorship and support to facilitators, enabling them to adapt movement exercises to meet individual participant needs.
• Ensuring program’s effectiveness through a structured evaluation of participant experiences, attendance trends, and physical, cognitive, and emotional progress to assess the long-term benefits.

Target Groups:

The project primarily targets:

• Older adults (60+), especially those with limited mobility or reduced access to exercise opportunities.

Secondary target groups include:

• Sports trainers, community facilitators, senior care professionals
• Stakeholders such as policymakers, cultural institutions, and health organizations.
• Community organisations and sports clubs also benefit by receiving adaptable methodologies they can continue implementing after the project.

Partnership & Coordination:

The consortium brings together four European partners:

• Tero P.C. (Greece) – coordinator
• NAMASTE (Greece)
• MCP Management & Consulting (Cyprus)
• SHC Active (Bulgaria)

Project Duration and Budget:

• Start Date: 1 January 2026
• Duration: 18 months
• Funding Programme: Erasmus+ Sport
• Funding Agency: European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
• Budget: €60,000.00

Relevance and Impact:

Creative Motion addresses EU priorities for active ageing, social inclusion, health enhancing physical activity (HEPA), and innovative sport methodologies. It offers a scalable model that:

• enhances physical, cognitive, and emotional wellbeing.
• reduces loneliness through creative group engagement.
• builds long term community capacity.
• supports local and EU level policy alignment.
• provides open access resources for replication across Europe.

Its expected medium- and long-term impact includes the integration of theatre-based movement into community programmes, broader adoption by at least 15 organizations, and potential replication in additional EU countries.

Keywords:

Active ageing, theatre based movement, expressive arts, physical activity, social inclusion, health enhancing physical activity (HEPA), community capacity building, non formal learning, wellbeing, senior engagement, behavioral change

Project Title:

Universal Sports for Social Impact (USSI)

Overview:

USSI is a pioneering transnational initiative under the Erasmus+ Sport 2024 – Capacity Building action (Project No. 101183224), co-funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

With a strong emphasis on values-based education through sport, USSI utilizes the methodologies and philosophy of martial arts to promote social inclusion, personal development, peace, and international cooperation in grassroots sports.

Focusing primarily on the Western Balkans—Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro—the project aims to transfer and adapt the proven “Sport Academy Methodology”, enhancing local capacity, empowering coaches and educators, and engaging marginalized communities through non-formal learning in sport.

Key Objectives:

• To build the institutional and practical capacities of grassroots sport organizations in non-EU partner countries.
• To adapt and transfer the “Sport Academy Methodology”, a best practice combining martial arts education with personal and social skills development.
• To equip coaches and educators with tools and training for integrating values such as respect, focus, discipline, and tolerance into sports instruction.
• To promote peace, inclusion, and cooperation in diverse communities through sport-based education.
• To foster international collaboration and shared learning among sports institutions and stakeholders across the participating regions.

Main Activities:

• Adaptation of best practices into local contexts, supported by a TOOL-KIT for integration.
• Localization of learning modules and development of “Train-the-Trainer” content to ensure scalable delivery.
• Capacity-building workshops and mentorship for 40+ coaches and educators.
• Community Events and Demo Days applying martial arts values, targeting inclusive public engagement.
• Dissemination of results through digital and public outreach, including media and networking platforms.

Target Groups:

• Grassroots sport organizations and staff (coaches, educators)
• Youth and marginalized groups, especially in Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro
• Policy stakeholders involved in sport, education, and youth development
• International sport organizations promoting intercultural dialogue and inclusion

Partnership & Coordination:

The project involves a strong consortium of nine partners from across Europe:

• Ujbuda Judo Sports Association (Hungary) – coordinator
• University Sports Center of Palermo (Italy)
• Polytechnic Institute of Santarém (Portugal)
• PJA Sports Consultancy and Projects (Portugal)
• Albanian Sports Sciences Association (Albania)
• People in Focus (Albania)
• Center for Research and Studies in Physical Education, Sport and Health (Kosovo)
• Physical Activity and Sports Tech for Healthy Lifestyles (Montenegro)
• University of Montenegro (Montenegro) – associated partner

Project Duration and Budget:

• Start Date: 1 April 2025
• Duration: 24 months
• Funding Programme: Erasmus+ Sport
• Funding Agency: European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
• Grant Amount: €193,331.88

Relevance and Impact:

USSI promotes social inclusion, positive values, and youth development through martial arts-based education. It strengthens grassroots sport in the Western Balkans, empowers coaches, engages marginalized youth, and fosters regional cooperation, aligning with EU priorities on inclusion, health, and cross-border collaboration through sport.

Keywords:

Martial arts, social inclusion, grassroots sport, values education, youth empowerment, capacity building, regional cooperation, Sport Academy, peacebuildingion, grassroots sport, values education, youth empowerment, capacity building, regional cooperation, Sport Academy, peacebuilding

Project Title:

Resolving Football-Related Violence among Fans for Unity and Diversity (RESOLVE)

Overview:

RESOLVE is a transnational cooperation partnership implemented under the Erasmus+ Sport 2024 – Cooperation Partnerships (ERASMUS-SPORT-2024-SCP) programme, co-funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

The project addresses football-related violence, discrimination, and racism by shifting the focus from punitive control measures to education, conflict resolution, community engagement, and digital innovation. RESOLVE promotes peace, equality, and European values in football by empowering fans, football clubs, professionals, and communities to actively co-create safer and more inclusive football environments.

Implemented across Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Serbia, RESOLVE introduces a three-tier framework combining conflict resolution education, participatory community action, and digital tools to tackle the root causes of violence and antisocial behavior in football.

Key Objectives:

RESOLVE aims to:

• Prevent football-related violence, discrimination, and racism through inclusive, educational, and community-driven approaches.
• Develop and implement the RESOLVE Inclusive Conflict Resolution Programme and Protocol, tailored to football environments.
• Empower football fans, club members, and professionals with practical skills in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and inclusive behavior.
• Leverage digital innovation through the RESOLVE Platform, Digital Stories, and documentary media to promote positive fan culture.
• Foster participatory co-creation by actively involving fans, former hooligans, football professionals, psychologists, and conflict resolution experts.
• Strengthen cross-sector cooperation between sport, health, education, law enforcement, and civil society actors at European level.

Main Activities:

• Development of the RESOLVE Conflict Resolution Programme and Protocol, including training modules, guidelines, and best practices.
• Establishment of the RESOLVE Panel, engaging football fans, experts, and stakeholders in participatory action research.
• Creation of the RESOLVE digital platform, hosting training resources, a best-practice database, streaming content, and interactive tools.
• Production of 20 RESOLVE Digital Stories and a documentary highlighting real-life experiences and positive transformation.
• Train-the-Trainer programmes and national implementations led by trained RESOLVE Ambassadors.
• Community-based conflict resolution events and peace-building football activities.
• Local Awareness Actions and a Transnational Final Conference.
• Strategic dissemination through social media campaigns, digital storytelling, and policy-oriented outreach.

Target Groups:

Direct target groups:

• Football fans (including former hooligans)
• Football club members (board members, coaches, players)
• Conflict resolution experts and sport psychologists
• Football community stakeholders (volunteers, educators, referees, journalists)

Indirect target groups:

• Football federations and governing bodies
• Policymakers and public authorities
• NGOs and CSOs working on inclusion, peacebuilding, and anti-discrimination
• Media organisations and the general public

Partnership & Coordination:

RESOLVE is implemented by a strong multidisciplinary consortium combining expertise in sport science, public health, conflict resolution, digital education, social inclusion, and dissemination:

• Centre for Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences – CHESS (Serbia) – Coordinator
• University of Cassino and Lazio Meridionale – UNICAS (Italy)
• RESET (Cyprus)
• Association Sport for All Vojvodina – ASFAV (Serbia)
• IPESKA – GRIIIS (Greece)
• Apollon Ladies FC (Cyprus)

The consortium is supported by associate partners including football associations, public authorities, universities, and civil society organizations, ensuring strong institutional backing and real-world impact.

Project Duration and Budget:

• Start Date: 1 November 2025
• Duration: 24 months
• Funding Programme: Erasmus+ Sport
• Funding Agency: European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
• Budget: €250,000.00

Relevance and Impact:

RESOLVE contributes directly to EU priorities on peace, equality, diversity, and European values in and through sport. By combining participatory education, digital innovation, and community-based action, the project: reduces tolerance for violence and discrimination in football, strengthens social cohesion and intercultural dialogue, promotes safer, more inclusive sporting environments, and creates scalable, multilingual tools for long-term European impact. It beyond enforcement-based responses, positioning football as a space for learning, dialogue, and positive social transformation.

Keywords:

Football violence prevention; conflict resolution; inclusion and diversity; peacebuilding; participatory action research; digital education; fan engagement; European values; sport for social impact.

Project Title:

Leading the Game – Developing Pathways for Gender-Balanced Youth Leaders in Sports Governance (YOULEAD)

Overview:

YOULEAD is an Erasmus+ Sport 2025 initiative (Project No. 101243387), co-funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

The project addresses the underrepresentation of youth in sports governance by creating more inclusive, democratic, and gender-balanced leadership structures in sports organizations. It aims to remove systemic barriers preventing young people—especially young women—from actively contributing to decision-making processes in sport.

YOULEAD will establish an Inclusive Governance Certification Process and a digital self-evaluation tool enabling sports organizations to assess and improve their governance models. Through training programs, mentorship, and pilot actions, the initiative provides youth participants with governance and leadership skills while strengthening the competencies of board members to integrate young voices effectively.

The project advances EU priorities related to gender equality, education, sustainable sports governance, and active civic engagement through sport.

Key Objectives:

• Empower young people with the necessary knowledge and leadership skills to participate in sports governance.
• Support sport organizations in creating gender-balanced, youth-inclusive decision-making structures.
• Develop and pilot an Inclusive Governance Certification Process and a sports governance self-evaluation tool.
• Enhance cooperation between youth groups, educational bodies, and sports institutions to support leadership pathways.
• Promote lifelong engagement, democratic participation, and awareness of social inclusion in sport.

Main Activities:

• Dual-purpose training program for youth and board members to improve governance skills and readiness.
• Establishment of the Leaders Circle mentorship structure pairing young leaders with experienced board members.
• Implementation and evaluation of pilot governance improvements in selected sports organizations.
• Development and deployment of an online governance self-assessment tool.
• Awareness-raising campaigns supporting gender equality, youth participation, and inclusive governance.
• Dissemination activities across Europe to support transferability and scalability.

Target Groups:

• Young individuals aspiring to contribute to sports governance.
• Sports organizations and their board leadership.
• Policymakers and stakeholders involved in governance reforms in sport.
• Educational and youth development actors supporting leadership education.

Partnership & Coordination:

The consortium includes eight beneficiaries and one associated partner from the EU and Western Balkans:

• Panathlon International (Italy) – coordinator
• University of Montenegro (Montenegro)
• Sports Embassy (Portugal)
• European Multisport Club Association – EMCA (Belgium)
• ENGSO – European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (Sweden)
• Asociacion Tarjeta Verde – FMASEPANA (Spain)
• Instituto Andaluz de la Juventud – IJA (Spain)
• International Centre for Sport Security Europe Association – ICSS (Portugal)
• International Sport and Culture Association – ISCA (Denmark) – associated partner

Project Duration and Budget:

• Start Date: 1 December 2025
• Duration: 30 months
• Funding Programme: Erasmus+ Sport
• Funding Agency: European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
• Grant Amount: €400,000.00

Relevance and Impact:

YOULEAD strengthens gender equality and youth participation in sports governance at local, national, and European levels. By equipping young people with leadership skills and transforming organizational structures to welcome youth voices, the project ensures more inclusive, modern, and democratic decision-making in sport. The initiative contributes to wider EU social goals, supports SDGs on leadership and equality, and enhances institutional sustainability within grassroots and national sports systems. Expected long-term impact includes improved representation of young women and men in governance roles and the wider adoption of inclusive sport governance standards across Europe.

Keywords:

Good governance in sport, youth leadership, capacity-building in sport, gender equality, inclusion, sports governance reform, active participation, decision-making skills, European sport model

Project Title:

Virtues and Leadership Unlocked through Engaging Sport (VALUED)

Overview:

VALUES is a transnational initiative under the Erasmus+ Sport 2025 action (Project No. 101245989), co-funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

Recognizing sport as a powerful catalyst for character development, gender equality, and social inclusion, VALUES focuses on empowering adolescent female athletes by integrating essential personal and social values into grassroots sport practice. The project will establish and implement the “Sport for Values” Quality Mark, a certification framework used to recognize and guide sports organizations in delivering inclusive, ethical, and values-driven coaching methodologies.

Aligned with Erasmus+ priorities on inclusion, education through sport, and the promotion of European values, VALUES will strengthen organizational capacities, support coach development, and contribute to a more supportive and responsible sporting environment for young women across Europe. The project aims to build a replicable and scalable model adaptable to diverse sports and community contexts.

Key Objectives:

• Establish the “Sport for Values” Quality Mark to identify and promote organizations fostering values-based learning and inclusion.
• Develop and deliver coach education resources that integrate leadership development, character-building, and positive values into daily coaching practice.
• Strengthen the capacity and sustainability of grassroots sport clubs to create athlete-centered environments that promote long-term engagement and well-being.
• Promote the dissemination and exchange of best practices across partner countries to contribute to the wider development of European grassroots sport.
• Empower female athletes to develop confidence, leadership skills, and ethical behavior through structured sports participation.

Main Activities:

• Development of the Sport for Values Quality Mark certification framework and implementation guidelines.
• Coach development activities including training modules, workshops, and mentoring sessions.
• Piloting and validation of values-based coaching practices within grassroots sport clubs.
• Evaluation and recognition of clubs progressing toward Quality Mark certification status.
• Dissemination of project results through media, events, and knowledge-sharing processes at local and European levels.

Target Groups:

• Grassroots sport organizations and coaching staff.
• Adolescent female athletes engaged in local sports programs.
• Stakeholders and practitioners involved in sport, youth development, and inclusion.
• Wider community actors supporting youth participation and well-being.

Partnership & Coordination:

The project involves a committed consortium of four partners:

• SK VOLLEY (Serbia) – coordinator
• INSTITUT IMPACT (Slovenia)
• Sirvintu sporto klubas (Lithuania)
• Physical Activity and Sports Tech for Healthy Lifestyles – PASTECHL (Montenegro)

Project Duration and Budget:

• Start Date: 1 November 2025
• Duration: 24 months
• Funding Programme: Erasmus+ Sport
• Funding Agency: European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
• Grant Amount: €120,000.00

Relevance and Impact:

VALUES advances the role of sport in promoting inclusion, positive personal development, and gender equality. The project strengthens the educational and community function of grassroots sport while providing a sustainable model for empowering young female athletes. Through recognition mechanisms, improved coaching practices, and cross-border collaboration, VALUES contributes to long-term athlete engagement, ethical sport environments, and alignment with European values and priorities in sport.

Keywords:

Values-based sport, grassroots sport, coach education, gender equality, youth leadership, inclusion, certification system, European values, athlete development, sport integrity

 Project Title:

Fighting Abuse & Inequality through Resources Platform of Learning and Actions for Youth in Sports (FAIR PLAYS)

Overview:

FAIR PLAYS is an Erasmus+ Sport 2025 initiative (Project No. 101245598), co-funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

The project addresses the critical challenge of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the sports sector. Despite increasing policy attention, SGBV prevention remains insufficiently embedded in the professional training of future sports educators and coaches. FAIR PLAYS aims to change this by producing and implementing innovative educational resources and integrating SGBV awareness and prevention in the education of sports professionals.

The project follows a structured approach combining needs assessment, co-creation of interactive training materials, testing in real environments, and large-scale dissemination through a multilingual digital learning platform. FAIR PLAYS strengthens the educational responsibility of the sports sector while fostering a safer, more inclusive environment for young people across Europe.

Key Objectives:

• Develop and integrate educational content focused on SGBV prevention into sport education and coach training programs.
• Improve the skills and awareness of current and future sports professionals regarding violence prevention and inclusive behavior.
• Conduct needs assessment with teachers, trainers, and students to ensure user-driven development of resources.
• Promote a culture of respect, equality, and integrity throughout sports structures.
• Enhance transnational cooperation to increase the capacity of sports education institutions in addressing SGBV.

Main Activities:

• Needs assessment and stakeholder consultation in sports education environments.
• Development of innovative educational resources, including case studies, prevention tools, and digital interactive modules.
• Testing, review, and refinement of materials based on user feedback.
• Deployment of a multilingual digital platform ensuring broad European accessibility.
• Dissemination of results through targeted communication actions, professional networks, and sector-wide outreach.

Target Groups:

• Teachers and trainers in sports education institutions.
• Students preparing for careers in physical education and coaching.
• Sport organizations responsible for athlete safety and inclusion.
• Young athletes and community sport stakeholders indirectly benefiting from improved training standards.

Partnership & Coordination:

The consortium brings together five European partners specializing in sport education and training:

• C3D STAPS (France) – coordinator
• IDEF Training (Greece)
• M.C.P. Management & Consulting Ltd (Cyprus)
• Western Balkan Sport Innovation Lab (Montenegro)
• ANESTAPS (France)

Project Duration and Budget:

• Start Date: 1 December 2025
• Duration: 30 months
• Funding Programme: Erasmus+ Sport
• Funding Agency: European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
• Maximum Grant Amount: €400,000.00

Relevance and Impact:

FAIR PLAYS contributes to safer sports environments by combating sexual and gender-based violence through education, awareness, and improved professional practices. The project strengthens prevention mechanisms, empowers educators and future coaches, and aligns with EU priorities in gender equality, integrity in sport, and skills development. FAIR PLAYS is expected to improve long-term safeguarding standards in sport and foster inclusive values across European sports education systems.

Keywords:

Gender equality in sport; discrimination in sport; education and skills development; capacity building; violence prevention; integrity and values in sport

Project Title:

Women Leadership in Sport: Promoting the Capacity of Sport Clubs to Increase Female Participation as Leaders (WELEAD)

Overview:

WELEAD is a capacity-building project under the Erasmus+ Sport 2025 action (Project No. 101243483), co-funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). It is implemented by a consortium from two EU Member States and two Western Balkan countries, coordinated by Associazione Italiana Cultura Sport (AICS) in Italy.

The project aims to enhance the role of women in society by strengthening their leadership skills through sport. It focuses particularly on unemployed and inactive women, empowering them to participate actively in grassroots sport structures and assume leadership responsibilities. Through a blended WELEAD Academy model, the initiative will equip women with skills in management, organization, and values-based leadership, while simultaneously engaging them in community sport activation.

Through coordinated training, capacity strengthening of local clubs, and high-visibility dissemination activities, WELEAD supports gender equality and social involvement by promoting female leadership pathways in grassroots sport across Europe.

Key Objectives:

• Increase the leadership capacity of women in sport, with a specific focus on unemployed and inactive women.
• Strengthen the institutional ability of grassroots sports clubs to support and integrate women in decision-making roles.
• Develop and pilot a blended non-formal WELEAD Academy training format combining online learning and practical engagement through internships.
• Organize sport events and local outreach initiatives led by trainees to promote inclusion and gender equality within the community.
• Foster regional cooperation and knowledge exchange between EU and Western Balkan organizations in the field of women’s empowerment through sport.

Main Activities:

• Training of five coaches in each pilot country to enable the delivery of inclusive leadership education in sports clubs.
• Implementation of the WELEAD Academy for 120 women (online modules hosted on OC BiH Moodle Platform and supervised internships).
• Organization of eight community sport events led by participants to strengthen real-world leadership practice.
• Awareness campaign and development of an advocacy toolkit addressing the gender gap in sport leadership.
• Dissemination of results through national and international events, a project website, multilingual publications, and a final conference.
• Translation of all major outputs into local languages of the pilot regions to support sustainability and usability.

Target Groups:

• Unemployed and inactive women aspiring to take leadership roles in sport.
• Grassroots sport clubs and their coaching workforce.
• Stakeholders and policymakers promoting gender equality in sport.
• Families and community members participating in inclusive sport events.

Partnership & Coordination:

The project involves a committed consortium of six partners:

• Associazione Italiana Cultura Sport – AICS (Italy) – coordinator
• CSIT – International Workers and Amateurs in Sports Confederation (Austria)
• Sarajevo Susret Kultura – SMOC (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina – NOC BIH (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Western Balkan sport Innovation Lab (Montenegro)
• University of Montenegro – UOM (Montenegro)

Project Duration and Budget:

• Start Date: 1 January 2026
• Duration: 24 months
• Funding Programme: Erasmus+ Sport
• Funding Agency: European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
• Grant Amount: €200,000.00

Relevance and Impact:

WELEAD promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women through sport by strengthening leadership pathways and creating equal opportunities at the grassroots level. The project emphasizes inclusion, skill development, and international cooperation—responding to Erasmus+ priorities on capacity building, active participation, and social engagement of women. By equipping community sports actors with practical expertise and generating visible local impact, WELEAD contributes to long-term change in cultural attitudes and institutional structures, advancing female representation in sport leadership roles across Europe.

Keywords:

Women in sport, sport leadership, empowerment, gender equality, grassroots sport, capacity building, non-formal learning, community activation, female participation