Third SKILLS4CHANGE Partner Meeting Takes Place in Copenhagen

Sep 10, 2026

Creative juices were flowing as the SKILLS4CHANGE partnership held its third official meeting on 8/9 September 2026. Partners were guests of the International Platform on Sport and Development at the head office of the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) in Copenhagen, Denmark. Making his debut was new EOSE recruit Ste Robson, who was recently appointed on a part-time basis as Education and Skills Manager.

Armed with the findings of a successful Training Needs Analysis Survey that generated over 450 responses from a range of sporting and non-sporting organisations from around the world, the partners considered the training needs of the Sport for Development sector and how these can be addressed through a package of e-learning courses. The findings are currently being collated into the official Research Report, and partners were informed that this will be published in early 2027.

The survey achieved responses not only from organisations currently engaged in Sport for Development work but also many with aspirations to contribute to this increasingly important field. The partners will be guided by practitioners in developing e-learning that plugs gaps in existing provision, with management skills such as fundraising and training/ developing other staff, plus face-to-face skills such as inclusive coaching and safeguarding all scoring highly.

The partners are also in the midst of holding roundtable discussions with practitioners across Europe and beyond. The research outcomes led to lively discussions and creative planning of the next moves. Sport for Development is a complex field, and the design and delivery of interventions varies greatly according to context. Over the coming months, the process of designing bespoke Sport for Development e-learning modules will begin, drawing upon the strengths of a diverse partnership and acknowledging the differing needs of practitioners across the globe.

Next steps were agreed upon, and following online discussions in the autumn the partners will break into writing teams to begin creating new and unique content to help develop the skills that will advance the Sport for Development profession over the next decade.

The principal strength of the SKILLS4CHANGE partnership, always evident when the partners assemble in person, is the range of perspectives, knowledge and expertise each partner brings to the table. The Copenhagen meeting ended with a strong sense of solidarity and purpose – look out for further updates as the SKILLS4CHANGE partners break new ground in support of Sport for Development practice the world over.

 

Participant testimonials

I am really happy to be in this group because we are working really well. We are covering many topics because I think we understand each other and are bringing different perspectives. I am also learning a lot by being part of this project!
Alexia Santolaya

Editor and Communication Expert, Athletes Inspire Children

There was a good energy in the room. We are working on complex solutions so it is good that we have bonded well as a group. There will be some challenges in the coming months but we are well placed to succeed.
Ivo Tiemessen

Team Leader (Creating Space), Johan Cruyff Foundation

It’s great that all the partners were represented. It has been a very democratic process with a consensus reached. I’ve enjoyed the discussions – the flexible format means we’re able to dig deep without being overly directed. It’s been an open conversation. I’m so excited about where we can take this!
Talia Kaufman

Senior Programmes Manager, the International Platform on Sport and Development

The aim of SKILLS4CHANGE is to provide innovative, easily accessible and needs driven learning pathways to support the continuing professional development of Sport for Development practitioners and other managers and coaches in the sport sector who wish to develop sport for development capabilities, thereby improving their impact on the groups and individuals they work with.
Visit the project web page

SKILLS4CHANGE Partnership

  • SportMalta
  • European Observatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE)
  • Athletes Inspire Children (AIC)
  • International Platform on Sport and Development, operated by International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA)
  • International Table Tennis Federation Foundation (ITTFF)
  • Palacký University of Olomouc, Faculty of Physical Culture
  • Play International
  • Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI)
  • The Johan Cruyff Foundation (JCF)
Contact

Mr Ste Robson – EOSE Education and Skills Manager – Click here