Building a stronger grassroots sport: recap of the European Sport Platform 2024
Pristina, 21-23 November 2024
The seventh edition of the European Sport Platform was a pivotal event, offering a valuable opportunity to strengthen the European grassroots sport movement. It facilitated meaningful discussions on how sport and the European values can positively impact society and contribute to building active, healthy, and peaceful communities.
Organised by the European Non-Governmental Sport Organisation (ENGSO) and hosted by its member organisation, the Kosovo Olympic Committee, the event took place in Pristina, Kosovo, from 21 to 23 November 2024.
It brought together a diverse group of sport stakeholders from across Europe, including national Olympic committees, international, European, national and regional sport federations, as well as experts in sport, education, European policy, youth, and more.
ENGSO President Stefan Bergh opened the 2024 European Sport Platform (ESP) on 22 November 2024, extending heartfelt appreciation to the hosts, the Kosovo Olympic Committee, and its President, Ismet Krasniqi, and Iber Alaj, Director of the Department of Sport in the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sports (Kosovo). He expressed gratitude for their warm welcome and the valuable opportunity to bring together ENGSO members and the European grassroots sport community in Pristina, Kosovo.
In his opening address, Stefan Bergh highlighted the event’s deeper significance, stating: “Sport possesses an extraordinary power to unite communities, foster connections, and uphold values that nurture peace, solidarity, and friendship. This year’s European Sport Platform, hosted by our ENGSO member, the Kosovo Olympic Committee, in Pristina, serves as a true bridge-building opportunity for everyone committed to strengthening grassroots sports across Europe. I am grateful to our hosts and the wider European sports community for making this inspiring gathering possible.”
Marking the occasion, the ENGSO President also congratulated the Kosovo Olympic Committee on their 10th anniversary, commending a decade of impactful efforts to advance regional development and unify communities through the transformative power of sport.
Ismet Krasniqi and Iber Alaj underscored the universal nature of sport, describing it as a language that transcends differences, unites people across borders, and bridges cultures. The event was officially opened with the declaration: “We will make Europe stronger and more united through the language of sport.”
Ismet Krasniqi highlighted the important role sport plays in advancing development of communities and the people: “Here in Kosovo, the sport movement has played a crucial role in shaping our identity on the global stage. Our athletes, who have represented this nation with pride, demonstrate the impact that sport can have in uniting and inspiring not only our communities, but nations across Europe and the world. The European Sport Platform gives us the opportunity to unite and strengthen the grassroots sport movement — a movement that touches the lives of millions of people, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.”
Day 1: Creating peaceful and more connected communities in a historically fragmented region using grassroots sport as a tool
The event started the day before, on 21 November 2024, with a conference built around the Erasmus+ funded project Sports as Value, that offered research and insightful discussions about Balkan grassroots sport and the importance of integrating European values within it with a goal of building more peaceful societies in a historically fragmented region.
The team behind the project presented key learnings and outputs of this two-year long initiative that united national Olympic Committees and Universities from Balkan countries with EU sport organisations.
The research conducted under the project, and presented by Mr Florian Miftari, University of Prishtina, underscored significant funding challenges faced by Balkan countries—specifically Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro—in adequately supporting grassroots sports movement. These findings highlighted the need for greater financial investment to enhance grassroots sports as a vehicle for unity and societal development.
The first day concluded with an insightful presentation by Ms. Esmeralda Gonçalinho from the Sport Confederation of Portugal. She shared exemplary practices from Portugal, demonstrating effective ways to integrate core values into the sports movement.
Day 2: EU opportunities, human rights and values
Continuing the insightful conversation on values, day two began with a session on the EU enlargement process and the role sport carries in this process. Mimika Dobroshi, representing Kosovo Erasmus+ Office Head, and Edith Zuschmann, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of 261 Fearless, took the stage to discuss opportunities the European Union offers to the sector, and finding new ways to financially support and maintain organisations.
Rune Arctander, Head of International Development at the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports, opened the session by emphasising the role of sport as the world’s largest human rights movement. He also shared an exemplary case study from Norway, showcasing best practices in this arena.
The workshops that followed discussed trending issues, including integrity in sports, the prevention of match-fixing within European sports, and the safeguarding of young people’s mental health.
Lisa Wainwright, representing the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s Sports Betting Group, Evangelos Alexandrakis from the Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions, and Karen Moorhouse of the International Tennis Integrity Agency, delivered insights into match-fixing and its impact across all levels of sport, from elite to grassroots.
In the second workshop, Erik van Haaren, Vice-Chair of ENGSO Youth and representative of NOC*NSF, highlighted the significance of protecting the mental health of young athletes, stressing its essential role in fostering a safe and supportive sporting environment.
Day 3: legacy of sport events, equality and keeping communities active
Day three, November 23, 2024, included workshops on the lasting legacy of major sporting events, human rights and equality, and the role of cities in inspiring healthier and active communities.
Lukas Vorel, ACES, highlighted the European Capital of Sport award and its significant impact on the host city’s population.
Gerard Esteva, President of UFEC, Besim Aliti, Secretary General of the NOC of Kosovo, and Petra Gantnerova from the Slovak Olympic Sport Committee discussed the lasting legacy of major sporting events on grassroots sports and society.
The third workshop, which focused on equality and human rights, featured a diverse panel of speakers, including Hugh Torrance, LEAP Sport Scotland, Vanja Smokvina, University of Rijeka, Sam de Vor, NOC*NSF, Daniela Heerdt, Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Armenda Filipaj, UN Women Programme Support Officer, and Ines Azaieza, Supporter.
The final session of the day, focused on building a strong grassroots sports movement to sustain active participation and foster healthier, more connected lives through physical activity.
Anna Ottosson Blixth, CEO of the Swedish Sports Confederation in the Jämtland Härjedalen region, presented the frameworks and strategies that support the growth and empowerment of grassroots sports, offering a successful example from Sweden.
Lorik Cana, Founder and Chairman of the Lorik Cana 5 Foundation, shared insights from his work in establishing sports foundations in Albania and Kosovo, highlighting the positive impact these initiatives have had on local children and communities.
As a tradition, the event concluded with a ceremony that passed the ENGSO flag from Pristina to Oslo and Barcelona.
ENGSO ExCom member Magnus Sverdrup invited everyone to the ENGSO General Assembly 2025 which will be held on June 13-15, 2025, in Oslo, Norway. Gerard Esteva, President of the Catalan Sports Federations Union (UFEC), welcomed everyone to Barcelona, Spain, the next host of the European Sport Platform.
On November 21, 2024, ahead of the main event, the ENGSO Equality Within Sport (EWS) Committee hosted the EU-Balkan Networking Event on Gender Equality and Diversity. This gathering, organised in collaboration with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Kosovo, took place at the Sports House.
The event brought together stakeholders from national and local levels who are active in promoting equality in sport, creating an unprecedented opportunity for dialogue. For the first time, these stakeholders convened alongside representatives from the Ministry of Sport of Kosovo. Under the leadership of the EWS Chair, the meeting marked a pivotal moment to establish a stable national working group dedicated to advancing equality in sport. Discussions focused on identifying challenges, sharing best practices, and exploring opportunities for collaborative initiatives.
This newly formed working group, coordinated by the NOC of Kosovo, will reconvene in January 2025 to outline a comprehensive plan for promoting equality in sport within the country. ENGSO EWS will continue to provide virtual support, assisting in the development and implementation of this action plan.
The following day, the ENGSO Executive Committee (ExCom) met to deliberate on ongoing projects and future initiatives. During this meeting, Sarah Townsend was officially appointed as the new EWS Vice Chair.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Kosovo Olympic Committee for hosting the seventh edition of the European Sport Platform. Your hospitality and the outstanding event held in Pristina, Kosovo, have left a lasting impression. We also thank all participants for their valuable contributions to advancing the grassroots sport movement across Europe.
