PROJECTS
Understanding Safeguarding in European Sport: SAFE Project Publishes Its First Comparative Analysis
The SAFE project has reached an important milestone with the development of its first analytical publication, examining existing safeguarding frameworks and approaches across the European sport sector.
Creating a safe, inclusive and supportive sporting environment is a shared responsibility across all levels of sport. However, safeguarding policies, prevention mechanisms and reporting procedures can differ considerably between organisations, countries and sporting contexts.
As part of the SAFE project, co-funded by the European Union, project partners have undertaken a comparative analysis of existing safeguarding frameworks to better understand current approaches, identify common challenges and explore opportunities for improvement.
Mapping Existing Approaches to Safeguarding
The analysis examines how safeguarding is addressed within different organisational and institutional frameworks, with particular attention to the principles, policies and mechanisms designed to protect participants from harassment, abuse, discrimination and other forms of harm.
By comparing existing approaches, the publication aims to identify areas of convergence, highlight differences and contribute to a better understanding of how safeguarding principles can be translated into effective organisational practices.
The analysis also provides an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between formal safeguarding commitments and their practical implementation, particularly within grassroots sport organisations, where resources, expertise and organisational capacities may be limited.
Building the Foundations for Safer Sport
Beyond reviewing existing frameworks, the publication contributes to the wider objectives of the SAFE project by establishing a knowledge base for future activities and project outcomes.
The findings will support further discussions among project partners and sport stakeholders, helping to inform the development of practical recommendations and resources that can strengthen safeguarding structures across the sport sector.
The ultimate objective is to help bridge the gap between safeguarding policies and everyday sporting practices, ensuring that safeguarding becomes an integral part of organisational culture rather than simply a formal requirement.
Towards a Stronger Culture of Safeguarding
The publication represents an important step in the SAFE project’s efforts to promote awareness, encourage cooperation and support sport organisations in strengthening their safeguarding approaches.
By bringing together existing knowledge and examining different frameworks from a comparative perspective, the project seeks to contribute to a more consistent, accessible and effective safeguarding culture in European sport.
The comparative analysis will serve as a reference point for the next stages of the SAFE project and a resource for organisations and stakeholders committed to making sport safer for everyone.
Discover the SAFE project and follow our upcoming activities and publications through the ENGSO website.