Celebrating European Gender Equality Week through ENGSO EWS action
As we celebrate European Gender Equality Week, we are reminded that talent has no gender, but barriers still do. Achieving equality in sport requires more than good intentions. It demands structural support, shared responsibility and unbroken commitment.
Through the work of ENGSO and its Equality Within Sport (EWS) Committee, we continue to turn this commitment into action through three interconnected priorities.
EWS Committee at 2026 ESP
Equality Within Sport Mentoring Programme participants
Structural work – shaping the future.
Lasting change starts with strong foundations. Through strategic advisory work and the ENGSO Position Paper on Gender Equality, we advocate for concrete action to address inequalities in sport. The paper calls for safer and more inclusive sporting environments, equal opportunities in participation and leadership, and recognition of the different barriers women and girls experience.
Shared responsibility – advancing together.
Gender equality is not the responsibility of one organisation or individual; it is a collective effort. Through European projects and collaboration with ENGSO members and partners, we work to turn shared ambitions into practical progress. The ReWSE project promotes greater visibility, sustainability and inclusivity of women’s sporting events, while SURE – Sport for Unity, Resilience and Empowerment works to make grassroots sport more accessible and inclusive, particularly for vulnerable groups. Together, these initiatives strengthen cooperation, share knowledge and help create more equal opportunities across European sport.
Unbroken commitment – empowering the next generation.
Equality requires continuous investment in people and leadership. Through the Equality Within Sport Mentoring Programme, EWS brings together sport professionals from across Europe to exchange experiences, build networks and strengthen their capacity to advance equality and inclusion within their organisations and communities.
Strength lies in our unity and our diversity. This European Gender Equality Week, let’s continue breaking down barriers, challenging existing structures and holding the door open for the next generation of leaders. Together, we can make equality not just an ambition, but a reality in European sport!