3/9/2024: SportEYE Executive Summary is here!
The SportEYE project
We are a transnational and multi-sectoral cooperation initiative co-funded by the European Union within the Erasmus+ programme, involving partners from the Olympic Movement, Sport for Development, Academia, and civil society. Our mission is to activate and mobilize local communities to improve good governance and enhance the capacity of team sports clubs to impact SDG indicators from a holistic perspective. We achieve this through the development and incorporation of a comprehensive multilevel curriculum that reaches managing and training staff, and ultimately children and youth.
Results of Data Research
Our data has revealed a growing awareness and commitment to sustainability among sports organizations. Many are now integrating environmental protection, human rights, and inclusivity into their core operations. This commitment is reflected in the strategic approaches being developed, as organizations set long-term sustainability goals aligned with the SDGs. Community engagement has emerged as a significant theme, with many sports organizations actively involving local communities in sustainability efforts to ensure a broad and lasting impact. Various environmental initiatives are being implemented, such as recycling programs, waste management systems, and eco-awareness campaigns, all aimed at reducing ecological footprints and promoting environmental education among members.
Inclusivity and human rights are also prioritized, with organizations forming teams for marginalized groups, including Paralympic teams, ensuring equal access to sports facilities and programs. Collaborative projects with schools and other institutions are common, extending the reach of sustainability initiatives and focusing on educating youth about environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
We identified several good practices during our research. Environmental education is a key focus, with clubs conducting campaigns to raise awareness about environmental issues through workshops, seminars, and eco-events. These initiatives aim to educate both members and the broader community, with a particular emphasis on engaging youth in sustainability programs to foster a culture of environmental responsibility from an early age. Effective waste management practices are another highlight, with many sports organizations implementing robust recycling programs within their facilities, including separating recyclable materials and educating members on proper waste disposal methods. Additionally, there are efforts to upgrade facilities to be more eco-friendly, such as using energy-efficient lighting, reducing water usage, and minimizing plastic use.
Our project highlights the critical role that sports organizations play in promoting sustainability. Through various initiatives, these organizations not only inspire their local communities but also provide practical examples of how to integrate sustainable practices into daily operations. The educational package we are developing aims to equip sports managers, staff, and coaches with the tools necessary to foster sustainability within their organizations. Despite the challenges encountered, the growing commitment to sustainability within the sports sector offers a promising outlook, demonstrating that collective efforts can significantly contribute to addressing the climate crisis and promoting a sustainable future.
Recommendations for Future Actions
- Ongoing support for sports organizations in developing and implementing comprehensive
sustainability strategies. - Enhanced collaboration between sports entities and educational institutions to promote
environmental awareness and sustainable practices. - Establishment of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and ensure
accountability in sustainability efforts.
By focusing on these areas, we aim to create a lasting positive impact on both the environment and the communities engaged in the field of sport and sport for development. This approach addresses immediate environmental concerns while fostering a culture of sustainability that can influence future generations.
Read the full report here
19/09/2024: Empowering Sport Clubs for Environmental Action: 4th Transnational Meeting in Milan
The 4th Transnational Meeting of the “Empowering Your Sport Club, Children and Youth for the Environment in the Mediterranean Region” project took place on 19–20 September 2024, at the prestigious Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy. This event gathered key partners and stakeholders to review progress and plan future initiatives aimed at promoting environmental awareness through sports.
The two-day meeting focused on assessing the development of educational tools, discussing policy recommendations, and preparing for the project’s next phases. Participants from across Europe attended, including experts from sport organisations, education sectors, and policy developers, contributing to the programme’s implementation and dissemination.
Day 1 Highlights
The first day began at 9:45 AM, with an official welcome by the host university. Following this, the project’s progress and upcoming deliverables were outlined by IOTC, the lead partner for project management.
Educational Package Design and Implementation Content (WP3)
PLAY International hosted a presentation of the activities and tools regarding the content of the educational package to guarantee its applicability and relevance to sport organisations. Reaching out to sport organisations later in the year in order to start educating about integrating SDGs in the daily workings among organisational staff such as managers and also sport coaches.
This included reviewing the content for the SportEYE educational toolkit, gamification strategies (Nivelat), and Moodle integration. Translation and deadlines were also discussed.
The ICSS team presented methods for monitoring and evaluating the project’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
IOTC led discussions on the project’s budget and risk management strategies.
Day 2 Overview
The second day started with a focus on the SportEYE e-Community, where partners discussed the digital platform’s design and engagement strategies. The agenda included:
Dissemination of Results: EFDN led a session on the project’s dissemination plan, including newsletters, social media, and partner contributions.
Policy Development: A key item was the formulation of policy recommendations for the adoption of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by sports organisations.
The meeting wrapped up with a coordination session to finalise next steps, including preparation for the next Transnational Meeting in Seville in January 2025.
This 4th meeting marked a critical step in ensuring that the project continued to meet its goals, empowering youth through sports to embrace environmental action. By bringing together experts from multiple disciplines, the project aimed to foster a collaborative and impactful approach to environmental and sustainable education in the Mediterranean region.
3/9/2024: The SportEYE Research Report is now live!
We’re thrilled to announce that the SportEYE – Research Report is now live! Explore the full report and see how collective efforts in the sports sector are contributing to a greener future:
18/03/2024: SportEYE Project Meeting at PLAY International in Paris
On March 14th and 15th, SportEYE project partners gathered at the office of PLAY INTERNATIONAL located in Saint Ouen, Paris, to discuss the latest findings and further steps regarding the promotion of sustainable practices in sports organisations.
Day 1
Fundación Real Betis Balompié joining SportEYE
On March 14th, the SportEYE consortium officially welcomed Fundación Real Betis Balompié to the project. The Foundation will be an integral part of the educational package that is created as part of the SportEYE project and thus help in promoting sustainable practices in sports organisations.
Every year, Fundación Real Betis supports more than 300 organisations that work in the social or environmental sector, mainly in Seville and Andalusia. Each Season, the Foundation addresses a long list of initiatives to continue their work to improve social, economic and environmental factors within the community, being aware that social responsibility is increasingly important in any type of organisation, but much more so in a club like Real Betis Balompié, where the value of feelings and emotions are always present.
Progress of the Educational Content (WP3)
PLAY International hosted brainstorm session regarding the content of the educational package to guarantee its applicability and relevance to sport organisations.
The consortium is looking forward to reaching out to sport organisations later in the year in order to start educating about integrating SDGs in the daily workings among organisational staff such as managers and also sport coaches.
Visit of Paris2024 Legacy and Engagement Forum
SportEYE partners had the opportunity to visit the Paris2024 Forum. It was a great opportunity to find out more about the upcoming mega event and its sustainable effect on the city of Paris, its inhabitants, the environment and wider society in general. More specifically, project partners had the opportunity to meet up with the director of sustainability of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Thus, they were able to gain valuable insights which can be implemented into the educational package
Day 2
Management and coordination (WP1)
On Friday, 15th of March 2024, the project partners discussed pending issues, updates regarding different work packages and summary of the done work so far. Additionally the current finance overview has been checked by project partners to make sure that everything continues to run smoothly.
Dissemination (WP5)
Furthermore, the newsletter publication and use of different social media channels have been discussed.
Next Steps
The meeting concluded with discussion about scheduling the next partner meeting, which will take place in Milan, Italy, later this year.
The third SportEYE meeting proofed the commitment, collaboration and dedication of project partners towards the project’s goals and objectives.
SportEYE
“Empowering Your Sport Club, Children and Youth and for the Environment in the Mediterranean Region” also know as “SportEYE” is an Erasmus+ funded initiative by the European Union that promotes transnational cooperation. It involves partners from various sectors, including the Olympic Movement, Sport for Development, Academia, and civil society. The project focuses on the European Mediterranean region, which is facing environmental challenges due to sustainability issues. SportEYE aims to engage local communities to enhance the governance and impact of team sports clubs on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is achieved through a multilevel curriculum that targets management, coaching staff, and young participants, fostering environmental awareness and sustainability.
06/10/2023: SportEYE Project Meeting at NAC Breda
On October 6, in a meeting of the SportEYE project, partners gathered to discuss the latest developments and future plans for this ambitious initiative aimed at promoting sustainable practices in sports organizations. The meeting, held in Breda, showcased the commitment of all involved parties to advancing the project’s goals.
Welcoming and Presentations
The meeting commenced with EFDN extending a warm welcome to all attendees, setting the stage for the following discussions, introducing Breda as the meeting’s host city and touching upon the logistical aspects of the gathering. IOTC provided insights into the project’s work plan, highlighting the completion of Work Package 2 (WP2).
Research
UCSC took the floor to present the progress made in WP2’s research phase. Partners were given additional time to collect information specific to their territories. UCSC then shared insights into the research methodology, work accomplished so far, and some preliminary results, including best practices.
Representatives from various organizations, including Futbol Mas, ICSS, PLAY International, EFDN, and IOTC, discussed their contributions to WP2, sharing figures and insights from focus groups, and challenges encountered. The group aimed to reach a target of 50 sports organisations, with final reports expected by the end of October.
For example, PLAY International conducted 9 interviews with varying sporting organisations, including one EFDN member: Olympique Lyonnais. Furthermore, ICSS presented initiatives from an EFDN member in its Focus Group Report: Sport Clube União Torreense.
Policy Recommendations
ICSS presented the plan for WP4, which focuses on policy recommendations. ICSS would draft an initial version of these recommendations, which would then be shared with partners for feedback and comments. After incorporating these inputs, a second version of the document would be created and shared for final approval.
Dissemination
EFDN provided an overview of WP5, emphasizing that the project website and the first digital leaflet had already been submitted. Partners were encouraged to contribute content for publication on the website or social media platforms. EFDN also shared links to various project deliverables and discussed additional communication objectives.
Management
IOTC, leading WP1, presented the status of the continuous reporting tool for SportEYE, and elaborated on reporting periods, budget control, and overall project management.
Implementation
FutbolMas and PLAY International outlined the plans for WP3, which focuses on implementation. She highlighted that the educational package would be consistent for both managers and coaches, consisting of theoretical content, the benefits of using Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), guidelines, and practical examples. The toolkit would focus on implementing this educational package.
Scheduling the Next Meeting
The meeting concluded with discussions about scheduling the next partner meeting, tentatively set in Paris, pending confirmation from Play International.
In summary, the SportEYE project meeting showcased progress made across various work packages and demonstrated the commitment of partners to its successful realization. Collaboration and dedication remained strong as partners worked collectively towards the project’s goals and objectives.
SportEYE
“Empowering Your Sport Club, Children and Youth for the Environment in the Mediterranean Region” also know as “SportEYE” is an Erasmus+ funded initiative by the European Union that promotes transnational cooperation. It involves partners from various sectors, including the Olympic Movement, Sport for Development, Academia, and civil society. The project focuses on the European Mediterranean region, which is facing environmental challenges due to sustainability issues. SportEYE aims to engage local communities to enhance the governance and impact of team sports clubs on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is achieved through a multilevel curriculum that targets management, coaching staff, and young participants, fostering environmental awareness and sustainability.