March 19, 2026

Promoting safe and fair sport across Europe

The European Fair Play Movement, partner of the SAFE project (Safeguarding Approaches Focusing on grassroots sport Environment) led by ENGSO  (European Non Governemental Sport Organisation)

Despite the acceleration of efforts from leading sport international institutions, such as the publication of the IOC “Safeguarding athletes from harassment and abuse in sport – IOC Toolkit for IFs and NOCs” (2017), each case of abuse and harassment in sport highlights failures in safeguarding measures. Issues related to safeguarding often involve inadequate policies, lack of training for coaches and staff, and failure to report or address allegations properly.

The project Safeguarding Approaches Focusing on grassroots sport Environment – SAFE aims to develop awareness, educational and micro-learning tools for sport organisations and empower them to lead the cultural change that will effectively raise the safeguarding readiness of the grassroots sport movement in Europe.

This collaboration partnership gathers 15 organizations from 10 countries, among which 14 partners and 1 associated partner. Countries represented are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden. Building on existing initiatives and tools developed for the grassroots sport, the partners are committed to bridging the gap so that the highest standards of safeguarding reach everyone in sport in Europe. By doing so, the consortium will work to prevent and respond to harassment and abuse within the local communities where most vulnerable members of our society first experience sport and establish their relationship with it. 

The kickoff meeting took place in Brussels March 18 & 19 in presence of 25 representatives of the 15 organizations. Among the participants 2 associated Members of EFPM (European Academies Organization and ENGSO)

The programme will last till the end of 2028. The role of EFPM will be to disseminate the good practices at national level (the 35 countries Members of EFPM) and to organize an activity at European level at the occasion of a major EFPM Event in 2028.

EFPM was represented by Philippe Housiaux, President and Thierry Zintz, President of the Scientific Committee.