March 12, 2026
The European School Sport Federation and the European Fair Play Movement for a Common Goal
“Fair Play: A Driving Force for Schools and School Sports”
Fair play is more than a rule — it is a mindset that elevates both students and school‑based competitions. In schools, it builds an environment where everyone feels respected, encouraged, and valued. In school sports, it becomes a true added value, ensuring competitions where honor matters as much as performance.
Promoting fair play means teaching young people to push their limits without putting others down, to celebrate victory without arrogance, to accept defeat with dignity, and to recognize the worth of their opponents. It strengthens teamwork, prevents harmful behaviors, and inspires a spirit of solidarity that extends far beyond the playing field.
By integrating fair play into daily school life and sporting events, schools help shape not only better athletes but also responsible citizens who act with respect, integrity, and courage. Every gesture, every match, and every interaction becomes an opportunity to grow.
Together, let us make fair play the most meaningful victory in our schools.
A Shared Commitment from EFPM and ESSF
It is with great enthusiasm that the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) welcomes the European School Sport Federation (ESSF) as an Associate Member and, through it, the European school community.
Education remains the greatest challenge for the future and the balance of our societies. And learning the Values of Life — the very values that flourish in the world of sport — begins at school. School sport adds an additional dimension: respect for rules, team spirit, commitment, acceptance of defeat, and, as a key reference, Fair Play.
“We have a promising path ahead of us together — the European School Sport Federation and the European Fair Play Movement — to further develop sports practice in schools and at the same time the spirit of sport,”
says Philippe Housiaux, President of the EFPM.
“The task is noble but also continuous, since students are partly new every year; a challenge to be shared with the help of all our members and those of the ESSF.”
With great pleasure, the President of the European School Sport Federation emphasizes the importance of this cooperation. The partnership between the ESSF and the EFPM is the most natural and logical consequence of two organizations that share the same vision — not only the promotion of sport and the sociological and health benefits it offers children, but also its educational dimension.
Often, in the pursuit of sporting success, we forget how essential it is to respect opponents, teammates, coaches, and supporters. Sport must be an educational tool, shaping decent, healthy young individuals who will become the adults that will in turn guide future generations.
“I firmly believe that with this cooperation, we will jointly take a huge step toward achieving this goal and raise our children to grow into good human beings.
Thank you to the European Fair Play Movement for accepting us into its membership; we commit to always emphasizing the importance of Fair Play at our events.”
— Ivan Dujić, PhD, President of the ESSF
European Fair Play Movement (EFPM)
The European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) is a non‑governmental, non‑profit organization founded in 1994 in Zurich, bringing together delegates from 14 European countries committed to promoting ethics, respect, solidarity, and tolerance in sport and society. Since 2022, EFPM’s headquarters have been located in Brussels, reinforcing its role at the heart of European sport, civil society, and European‑level cooperation.
EFPM’s mission is to promote Fair Play and Tolerance across Europe, both in sport and in everyday life. It advances this mission by supporting member organizations, collaborating with public authorities, and facilitating cooperation among European sports bodies. Its work includes educational programs, campaigns, annual congresses, and prestigious Fair Play Awards that honor individuals and institutions exemplifying exemplary sporting ethics.
Governed by a General Assembly and an elected Executive Committee serving voluntarily, EFPM unites more than 30 National Fair Play Committees, National Olympic Committees, and over 20 European sport federations, and cooperates with over 600 educational, sport, and media organizations across Europe.
Dedicated to shaping a culture of integrity, respect, and solidarity, EFPM continues to lead European efforts to strengthen ethical values in sport through initiatives such as World Fair Play Day, the Fair Play for Peace Award, and collaboration in Erasmus+ and other European programs.
European School Sport Federation (ESSF)
The European School Sport Federation (ESSF) is a continental non‑profit organization founded in March 2020 to unite national school sport federations across Europe and promote sport, physical education, and positive values among school‑aged youth. Headquartered in Brussels, the federation works to expand opportunities for young athletes to compete internationally while fostering fair play, inclusion, respect, teamwork, and healthy lifestyles.
Recognized as the continental European body of the International School Sport Federation (ISF), the ESSF organizes European School Championships, educational programs, and cross‑border initiatives that strengthen school sport across the continent. Its activities engage thousands of young athletes from 29 member countries each year, offering meaningful sporting, cultural, and educational experiences.
Beyond competitions, the ESSF collaborates on EU‑funded projects, supports national federations, and builds networks that reinforce the role of sport in education, community development, and personal growth. Guided by its mission to inspire a more active, united, and inclusive Europe, the ESSF continues to shape the future of school sport for the next generation of young Europeans