At the end of last week, partners of the STRONG project came together in Mainz, Germany, for their second in-person project meeting, hosted by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Nine months into the project, the two-day meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of the progress achieved so far and to lay the foundations for the next phase of activities.
Since its launch at the beginning of 2026, STRONG has focused on strengthening the implementation of athletes’ rights and responsibilities within National Olympic Committees (NOCs). During the first months of the project, partners have worked to better understand the current situation across participating NOCs, identify existing practices and challenges, and engage athletes and relevant stakeholders in the process.
In Mainz, the consortium reviewed these first activities and results, including the progress made through the project’s research and engagement with partner NOCs. Building on this work, partners then shifted their attention towards the development of practical tools and approaches that can support NOCs in translating athletes’ rights and responsibilities into their organisational practices.
Building capacity through education
A central part of the meeting was dedicated to preparing the STRONG Educational Course for NOC administrators.
Through a dedicated Validation Workshop, partners reflected on the findings gathered so far and identified the main educational needs that should be addressed by the course. The Educational Course will equip NOC administrators with relevant knowledge, practical tools and examples to strengthen their understanding of athletes’ rights and responsibilities and support their implementation within their organisations.
From principles to organisational strategies
The meeting also marked the beginning of work on the STRONG Organisational Strategies.
Partner NOCs were introduced to the VMOST framework, which will support them in developing tailored strategies that respond to their individual organisational contexts and needs. This process will help participating NOCs move from identifying challenges and opportunities to defining concrete objectives and actions for strengthening the implementation of athletes’ rights and responsibilities.
Together, the Educational Course and Organisational Strategies represent an important step in STRONG’s transition from research and analysis towards capacity building and practical implementation.
The EOC EU Office thanks Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz for hosting the consortium and for its warm hospitality throughout the two-day meeting.
About STRONG
STRONG is an Erasmus+ Sport project aimed at strengthening the implementation of athletes’ rights and responsibilities within European National Olympic Committees. Bringing together 16 NOCs and project partners, STRONG combines research, athlete and stakeholder engagement, capacity building and organisational development to support NOCs in creating environments in which athletes are informed, empowered and meaningfully involved.
