The success of the STRONG project lies in the strength of its diverse and experienced consortium, which brings together voices from across Europe’s Olympic Movement and the academic sector. United by a common goal — to promote, protect and implement athletes’ rights and responsibilities — our partners offer a broad mix of practical experience, policy knowledge, and academic insight. 

Project Coordinator 

EOC EU Office  

The EOC EU Office leads the coordination and strategic direction of STRONG, ensuring that the project aligns with EU policy priorities and delivers long-term impact for sport organisations and athletes across Europe. 

“STRONG builds on the Olympic Movement’s commitment to athletes by translating principles into practical action at national and European level. The strength of this consortium lies in its diversity, expertise and shared ambition.” 

(Elisabeth Strobach – Project Manager EOC EU Office) 

National Olympic Committees (NOCs) 

15 European National Olympic Committees are at the heart of STRONG’s mission. They bring practical, on-the-ground knowledge of the realities athletes face today and will play a key role in piloting, testing and implementing project outputs within their national contexts. 

The participating NOCs are: 

• Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Croatian Olympic Committee
• National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark
• Estonian Olympic Committee
• German Olympic Sports Confederation
• Hungarian Olympic Committee
• Kosovo Olympic Committee
• Lithuanian National Olympic Committee
• National Olympic and Sports Committee of Moldova
• Montenegrin Olympic Committee
• Olympic Committee of North Macedonia
• Polish Olympic Committee
• Olympic Committee of Serbia
• Olympic Committee of Slovenia
• Swiss Olympic

Each NOC contributes its own national perspective, governance experience and approach to athlete engagement — enriching the STRONG network with diverse insights from across Europe. 

Academic expertise 

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Germany) 

With long-standing research expertise in sport governance, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz leads STRONG’s scientific work. The university will support evidence-based analysis, guide the development of frameworks, and contribute to the evaluation of project outcomes. 

A pan-European partnership for change 

Together, the STRONG consortium will co-create: 

• A European Framework for Athletes’ Rights & Responsibilities
• A National Mentoring Programme for athletes
• Educational tools and training materials
• Organisational strategies that strengthen athlete-centred governance 

Across all activities, the consortium is committed to collaboration, transparency and sustainable impact at both national and European level. 

Stay tuned! 

Throughout the project, we’ll spotlight the experiences and contributions of each partner — and show how this collective expertise is shaping stronger foundations for athletes’ rights in Europe. 

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