The Comité Olímpico de Portugal (NOC Portugal) 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 Portugal 

NOC Portugal is the umbrella organisation in the Portuguese sport system with the mission of developing, promoting and protecting the Olympic Movement in Portugal, in accordance with the Olympic Charter. It is a non-profit and non-governmental organisation with a universe of 64 national sports federations as members with voting power that. Besides organising and leading in exclusivity the national delegation to the Olympic Games, has several other statutory powers in advocacy, promotion and development of the Olympic Movement and sport in general, in accordance with the Olympic Charter, namely: 

• Safeguard the observance of sports ethics (protection of integrity and values) in the framework of competitions and in the relations between sports people and the community. 

• To encourage the dissemination of the cultural, educational and social values of Olympism. 

• Encourage, enhance and support training and education of sports people and their leading role in the community. 

The core official members of NOC Portugal are representatives from national sports federations affiliated with Olympic sports and institutional partners and organisations supporting the development of the Olympic Movement in Portugal.  

NOC Portugal runs development programmes in the field of Olympic education, sports integrity (prevention of competition manipulation and safeguarding), gender equality, and sustainability, in close cooperation with government bodies and international organisations to improve Portuguese sports governance, performance and representation on the global stage.  

The work of NOC Portugal on safeguarding in sports to date  

The organisation actively promotes safeguarding in sport, in line with the current strategic action plan for the implementation of International Olympic Committee recommendations on the protection of athletes from harassment and abuse in sport. In this view, the rejection of harassment and abuse is stated in the NOC Portugal Statutes, and it has now two certified Safeguarding Officers on site. Moreover, two different safeguarding initiatives are currently coordinated by the NOC Portugal, namely: 

1. “Pelo Respeito”: NOC Portugal integrity programme – safeguarding (national and regional) 

An action-oriented programme that includes awareness-raising and capacity building activities, as tailor-made sessions for athletes, coaches, officials and parents, from basic to high levels of performance. Additionally, a set of educational resources and a mapping study on the prevalence of violence and abuse have been recently developed on the grounds of this programme. 

1. “Safer Grassroots Sport” – GRASS (international) 

A European project coordinated by the NOC Portugal and funded by the European Commission, with a strong and recognized partnership of 7 stakeholders from across the EU which brings together National Olympic Committees, a sport governmental organisation and expert organisation in the field of safeguarding in sport, and networks with numerous contacts all over the continent and beyond. GRASS focuses on establishing robust safeguarding policies, providing education and resources, managing risks proactively, and promoting inclusivity and respect in grassroots sport organisations. In this view, the 2-year project will develop a set of tools and resources that include: 

• Mapping of Best Practice, drawing from a wide array of successful models to offer practical, proven strategies for safeguarding within sports at a grassroots level. 

• Online Self-Assessment Tool, enabling organisations to evaluate their own safeguarding measures, identifying gaps, and prioritising improvements. 

• Digital Toolkit, providing ready-to-use resources, from policy templates to educational materials, tailored to the needs and realities of sport organisations at grassroots level. 

The role of NOC Portugal within the SAFE HARBOUR project 

Within the SAFE HARBOUR project, NOC Portugal 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 Portugal 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 Portugal 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.