The Polish Olympic Committee (NOC Poland) 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 Poland 

NOC Poland is an association of federations dedicated to fostering and promoting the Olympic movement while advancing sports development in Poland. As a unifying body for sports organisations, NOC Poland deeply committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all athletes with a particular emphasis on protecting young participants in sporting activities. 

The work of NOC Poland on safeguarding in sports to date 

NOC Poland plays a crucial role in conducting training programs and organising sports competitions, including numerous events for children and youth. Recognising its responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of young athletes, NOC Poland have recently developed and implemented comprehensive Safeguarding Standards for Minors. 

These standards align with the new national legislation enacted on February 15, 2024, which mandates all organisations working with minors to establish robust safeguarding procedures. NOC Poland’s framework includes: 

• Clear guidelines defining prohibited behaviors and principles for maintaining safe relationships with minors 

• Detailed procedures for responding to suspected abuse, including mandatory reporting protocols 

• Appointment of dedicated safeguarding officers responsible for incident reporting and supporting young athletes 

• Comprehensive staff training programs on implementing safeguarding standards 

• Guidelines for safe use of electronic devices and protection against harmful online content 

• Support systems for minors who have experienced abuse 

The foundation of NOC Poland’s safeguarding work rests on four key principles: 

• All actions must prioritise the child's best interests 

• Every staff member must treat children with respect and consider their needs 

• Zero tolerance for any form of violence against children 

• All activities must comply with legal requirements and internal regulations 

In addition to implementing these standards, NOC Poland is proud to be participating in the "Safeguarding Children in Sports" (GUARD) project. This initiative aims to standardise child protection policies and develop comprehensive educational programs for safeguarding children in sports environments. As part of the GUARD project, Olympic Committees will train selected members of sports associations to become future child safety leaders within their organizations.  

Additionally, at the beginning of 2025, NOC Poland the SAFE HARBOUR project - " Strengthening Response Mechanisms for Safeguarding in European Sports". This initiative focuses on enhancing the European sports movement's capacity to address protection-related issues, further strengthening its commitment to creating a safe sporting environment. 

NOC Poland is committed to sharing these standards with its member organisations and supporting their implementation across the Polish sports community. NOC Poland’s goal is to ensure that every young athlete can pursue their sporting passion in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment. 

The role of NOC Poland within the SAFE HARBOUR project 

Within the SAFE HARBOUR project, NOC Poland 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 Poland 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 Poland 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.