On 21–22 January, the STRONG project was officially launched during a kick-off meeting hosted at the EOC EU Office in Brussels, marking the start of a new European cooperation focused on supporting, protecting and promoting athletes’ rights and responsibilities. 

Funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, STRONG brings together 15 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the EOC EU Office as project coordinator, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz as academic partner. Over the course of the project, the consortium will work collaboratively to strengthen athlete-centred governance within National Olympic Committees across Europe. 

Launching a shared European initiative 

The kick-off meeting marked the first in-person gathering of the STRONG consortium and provided an opportunity to align partners around the project’s objectives, structure and expected outcomes. 

STRONG aims to enhance good governance in sport by supporting NOCs and athletes in the implementation of the IOC Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration, with particular attention to: 

• non-discrimination, 

• freedom of expression, 

• athlete opportunities and agreements, 

• athlete representation and participation in decision-making. 

Through research, dialogue and capacity-building, the project seeks to translate international principles into concrete organisational practices at national level. 

A strong consortium at the heart of the project 

Participants at the launch included representatives from all partner organisations, reflecting the project’s pan-European reach and diversity of experience. Academic experts from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz kickstarted the project’s research phase by conducting intake interviews that will inform the Status Quo Report. The IOC Athletes’ Department provided the shared theoretical foundation by introducing the Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration and bringing all participants onto a common footing regarding the project’s key focus rights, while Johanna Talihärm (Chair of the EOC Athletes Commission) brought the athlete perspective and shared expectations on what this project can hopefully achieve  

This strong and complementary partnership enables STRONG to combine policy insight, academic evidence and practical governance experience, ensuring that project results are both relevant and applicable across different national contexts. 

Setting the direction for project outputs 

The kick-off meeting also introduced the key outputs that STRONG will develop over the coming months, including: 

• a status quo and stakeholder perceptions report 

• a European Framework for Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities, 

• a National Mentoring Programme, 

• educational tools and training materials for NOCs and athletes, 

• and organisational strategies to support sustainable, athlete-centred governance enriched by the project’s pool of actions. 

These outputs will be developed through close cooperation between partners and informed by the realities faced by athletes and sport organisations across Europe. 

Looking ahead 

The launch of STRONG in Brussels laid a solid foundation for the project’s implementation, establishing a shared understanding, a collaborative working culture and a clear roadmap for action. 

As the project moves forward, the STRONG consortium will continue to engage in structured dialogue, exchange practices and co-create solutions that contribute to a more inclusive, transparent and athlete-centred sporting ecosystem in Europe. 

Follow the STRONG project to stay informed about upcoming activities, exchanges and results. 

About STRONG 

STRONG is a European cooperation project that aims to strengthen good governance in National Olympic Committees by supporting the implementation, protection and promotion of athletes’ rights and responsibilities, as defined in the IOC Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration. Through research, capacity-building and practical governance tools, STRONG supports NOCs and athletes in translating international standards into concrete organisational practice across Europe. The project is supported by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.