The 30th and 31st of January 2023 saw the kick-off meeting for a new transnational initiative funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Call for Proposals Capacity Building in the field of Sport 2022.

This 2-year initiative entitled “Enhance the skills of sport administrators to build capacity of sport organisations in the Western Balkans through innovative training and development activities (S2ABC)” has the ambition to continue EOSE’s relationship with key partners in the sport sector in the Western Balkans and to build on previous successful projects to deliver high quality sport administration training.

The general objective of S2ABC is to support the sport sector in realising its full potential by enhancing the skills of sport administrators and strengthening their future employability and personal development through innovative training and development activities, as well as to raise the capacity of sport organisations in the Western Balkans.

A unique partnership of two organisations from the European Union and five from the Western Balkans, including three National Olympic Committees and three universities has been gathered to develop and deliver two fit-for-purpose European Courses on Sport Administration using a blended learning approach.

A total of 70 sport administrators from the Western Balkans (Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia) and the EU will be trained through the S2ABC project.
Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in two in-person national visits at the start and end of their Course to share knowledge about different sport systems, enhance understanding of EU institutions and policies, and learn about different countries and cultures.

Hosted by the National Olympic Committee of North Macedonia in Skopje on 30-31 January 2023, the kick off meeting was organised to bring all partners together and make sure they are familiar with the overall methodology, the detailed work programme and their specific role and responsibilities within the project.

The partners worked together to underline main priorities and realities of the sport labour market and start developing the content for the two innovative Courses in sport administration. The focus was also made on the profile of the participants, the selection process and the logistic behind the delivery of the training which is going to start in September 2023.

Testimonials

Aurélien Favre, Executive Director of EOSE, said:

It is an honour for EOSE to act as coordinator and work with such motivated partners from Western Balkans on this ambitious EU-funded project with the main goal of enhancing the skills of the paid and volunteer sport administration workforce”. 

Kirstie Simpson, current EOSE President concurred stating:

“The kick off meeting was very successful with a strong level of motivation and contribution from all partners involved in the initiative. I have no doubt the project will be a great success!

Partnership

  • European Observatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE) – Coordinator
  • Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) – Belgium
  • National Olympic Committee of North Macedonia (NOC Macedonia)
  • Sport University of Tirana – Albania
  • National Olympic Committee of Albania (NOC Albania)
  • University of Pristina – Faculty of Sport and Physical Education – Kosovo
  • National Olympic Committee of Montenegro (NOC Montenegro)

Contact

Mr Aurélien Favre – EOSE Executive Director – Click here