The Croatian National Olympic Committee (NOC Croatia) is pleased to be a partner in the new Erasmus+ Project named “Strengthening Response Mechanism for Safeguarding in European Sports” (SAFE HARBOUR), which is coordinated by the European Olympic Committees EU Office (EOC EU Office). This initiative is dedicated to enhancing safeguarding mechanisms across European sport, creating safer environments for all 

About NOC Croatia 

NOC Croatia is the umbrella sports association in the Republic of Croatia. Its mission is to contribute permanently to the promotion of sport as the universal civilization legacy, to spread the Olympic principles and ethical norms in sport, to create top-level sports achievements, to promote the Republic of Croatia as a democratic country and to promote fair play in sport. The NOC Croatia's task is to protect the Olympic symbols and represent Croatian sport in the International Olympic Committee and other international sports organisations. It counts national sports federations of 47 Olympic, 41 non-Olympic sports, 20 county sports associations and the City of Zagreb and 8 affiliated associations and institutions as members (January 2025). 

NOC Croatia is a member of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), the European Olympic Committees (EOC), the International Committee of Mediterranean Games (ICMG), the European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO), the International Fair Play Committee (IFPC), and the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM). 

NOC Croatia is the founding body of the Croatian Olympic Academy and the Croatian Olympians Club, as well as a co-founder of the Croatian Fair Play Committee, the Croatian Athletes’ Foundation, the Network of Women Coordinators in Sport, the Athlete Career Centre, and various other initiatives within the Croatian and international Olympic movement. It is also the only National Olympic Committee in the world that owns a specialized digital sports television channel with a national broadcasting license – Sports Television (SPTV). 

The work of NOC Croatia on safeguarding in sports to date 

Over the years, the Croatian Olympic Committee (NOC Croatia) has prioritised the protection of athletes from abuse, harassment, and discrimination, aligning its efforts with international safeguarding standards. 

As part of these efforts, NOC Croatia played a key role in the national steering committee of Child Safeguarding in Sport (CSiS), a joint initiative of the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe (CoE). Croatia was one of six EU partner countries involved in the project, which aimed to support European nations in developing effective child safeguarding policies through the creation of a national roadmap. One of the roadmap’s key recommendations was the establishment of Child Safeguarding Officer positions. 

Building on this foundation, NOC Croatia took the lead in coordinating the Erasmus+ project GUARD, currently being implemented with six European National Olympic Committees. The project’s primary goal is to develop a structured system of Child Safeguarding Officers in each participating country and establish a standardized education model for their training. 

To further institutionalise safeguarding measures, NOC Croatia established the Committee for Child Safeguarding in Sport, bringing together leading experts in child protection, representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Ombudsperson for Children, and other key stakeholders. 

Starting this year, NOC Croatia has also introduced mandatory training sessions for athletes and coaches, funded through its internal financial mechanisms. These sessions focus on educating stakeholders on recognising and preventing misconduct in sports. 

Additionally, NOC Croatia actively collaborates with governmental agencies and legal experts to refine legislation and enforcement mechanisms related to athlete protection. 

The organisation’s safeguarding efforts continue to evolve, with an increasing emphasis on mental health support, athlete well-being, and gender equality in sports. By fostering a culture of safety, respect, and inclusivity, NOC Croatia remains committed to protecting athletes, upholding the integrity of sport, and setting a benchmark for safeguarding excellence. 

The role of NOC Croatia within the SAFE HARBOUR project 

Within the SAFE HARBOUR project, NOC Croatia will play a critical role in tailoring the European Response framework to its national context. Responsibilities include drafting a National Strategy to guide safeguarding actions, delivering mandatory training for the leadership and National Federations, and hosting a National Multiplier Event to raise awareness among stakeholders. Additionally, NOC Croatia will engage in peer-to-peer roundtables, contribute to thematic seminars, and disseminate the project results through various channels. By actively participating in all project activities, NOC Croatia will help ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of safeguarding measures. 

Background information on the SAFE HARBOUR project  

The SAFE HARBOUR project, short for “Strengthening Response Mechanisms for Safeguarding in European Sport”, is a 30-month project co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Sport Programme 2024. Coordinated by the EOC EU Office, the consortium includes Thomas More and Asser Institute as experts on safeguarding, human rights and law, 2 International Federations (International Biathlon Union and International Ice Hockey Federations), and 20 National Olympic Committees (Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia). Additionally, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is involved as an outside resource.   

The project seeks to strengthen the capacity of European NOCs and Federations to address safeguarding concerns by identifying gaps, developing a European Response framework, and fostering collaboration. This framework will be adapted to national contexts, complemented by training and awareness initiatives to enhance safeguarding measures at both national and European levels. Therefore, SAFE HARBOUR aims to equip partner NOCs and Federations with the tools and confidence to implement effective safeguarding measures while establishing a robust support network for Safeguarding Officers and laying the groundwork for a future IOC Regional Safeguarding Hub.