Agenda 2025

Mr. GARZA will be presenting the activities of the Athlete365 Business Accelerator Programme and the impact that this initiative of the International Olympic Committee is producing over the athletes’ lives on a global scale.

Ms. LAVRYK will present the main pillars of work and the latest outcomes of the ongoing "Sport For All" project, a joint EU-Council of Europe initiative that promotes the inclusion of persons with disability in and through sport, highlighting the role of visibility, and grassroots development in protecting access to sport as a human right for all.

Why and how does a small government agency with a limited budget needs to invest in innovation? An insight in our strategy and a pitch of one of our most ambitious projects. Several sectors (take-away, hotels, dating, …) have digital solutions to match supply and demand on a large scale. Butt there is no such solution for the sports sector. That is what we want to realise through our ‘Matchmaking’ project, a combination of technological innovation and a complementary policy strategy.

Social Innovation Sports embraces projects using sports as a powerful tool for social inclusion and elevation. Their mission is to support vulnerable communities, families, and individuals, such as migrants and refugees, by creating programs that use sports to promote job placement, well-being, and social integration.

The “Stadium to Employment” program has been held over 1,300 times across France and in three other countries. It uses the structure and discipline of sports to guide individuals toward employment opportunities. This initiative focuses specifically on training young people for careers within the sports industry itself, and in this lab, Mr. LAMBLIN will be sharing with us all the secrets of the programme and how to replicate it in other countries and with different types of stakeholders.

Social Innovation Sports embraces projects using sports as a powerful tool for social inclusion and elevation. Their mission is to support vulnerable communities, families, and individuals, such as migrants and refugees, by creating programs that use sports to promote job placement, well-being, and social integration.

The “Stadium to Employment” program has been held over 1,300 times across France and in three other countries. It uses the structure and discipline of sports to guide individuals toward employment opportunities. This initiative focuses specifically on training young people for careers within the sports industry itself, and in this lab, Mr. LAMBLIN will be sharing with us all the secrets of the programme and how to replicate it in other countries and with different types of stakeholders.

Dr Heerdt's keynote will explore the critical challenges and responsibilities facing sporting bodies today, examining issues from worker welfare in the supply chain to athlete protection and non-discrimination on the field. Her address will provide essential insights into how organisations can effectively embed a human rights framework to ensure ethical governance and sustainable development within sport.

Mr Stolpmann's keynote will address the urgent global agenda of Advancing Quality Physical Education (QPE). Drawing on ICSSPE's extensive work in research, policy, and education, he will outline the essential components of a high-quality physical education system. This session will explore evidence-based strategies, policy recommendations, and international collaborative models necessary to ensure that physical education programmes are inclusive, developmental, and effectively delivered, ultimately securing the health, well-being, and active lifestyles of young people worldwide.

Dr. Lara Bercial's keynote will offer an essential look into the principles and global impact of the ICOACHKIDS project. This initiative champions a child-centred, values-driven model for youth sport coaching, emphasizing the need to prioritize fun, safety, and holistic development over the sole pursuit of winning.

This presentation explores the development of athlete-centred support services in sport schools across Europe, highlighting current dual career structures and mentoring practices. It draws from evidence and insights of the STARS project's dual career strand and reflects on alignment with EU goals in education, skills, and social inclusion.

This lab invites participants to reflect on holistic athlete development, from first contact with sport to life beyond athletic careers. It explores how funding and governance structures can better support well-being, aligning with EU values of inclusion, health, and safeguarding.

This presentation focuses on enhancing the cultural leadership of sports coaches through cross-cultural training, empowering them to work effectively in multicultural environments.
The lab session will offer practical insights and engage participants in interactive activities designed to develop key competencies such as cultural awareness, cultural intelligence, and cultural leadership in sports.This project aligns with EU priorities by promoting inclusive, intercultural education in sports.

This lab invites participants to reflect on holistic athlete development, from first contact with sport to life beyond athletic careers. It explores how funding and governance structures can better support well-being, aligning with EU values of inclusion, health, and safeguarding.

This presentation focuses on enhancing the cultural leadership of sports coaches through cross-cultural training, empowering them to work effectively in multicultural environments.
The lab session will offer practical insights and engage participants in interactive activities designed to develop key competencies such as cultural awareness, cultural intelligence, and cultural leadership in sports.This project aligns with EU priorities by promoting inclusive, intercultural education in sports.

Join the partners from the Erasmus+ COVE project "STARS" (Shaping Talents and Achieving Vocational Excellence in Sport) for a dynamic round table discussion on the future of sport education. As the first Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) in sport, the STARS project is establishing a European alliance to drive excellence and sustainability in the sector's workforce.
This session brings together key partners (including ministries, sport federations, and VET providers) to discuss their collaborative model, focusing on critical areas such as:
• Bridging Skills Gaps for Sport Professionals.
• Developing Dual Career pathways for athletes.
• Fostering Open Sports Schools for community engagement.

The discussion will showcase the innovative tools and strategies STARS is creating to ensure the sport workforce is fit for the future.

This event will celebrate the outstanding contributions and innovations presented throughout the program, recognising winners across various categories. Following the presentations, we will reflect on the key takeaways and major advancements made during the congress.
It's an important moment to acknowledge excellence, foster community, and look ahead to future collaborations before we bid farewell. We encourage all participants to attend this celebratory conclusion to the event.
The closure remarks will be delivered by a Public Authority (TBA).