Youth in decision-making: promoting equality and inclusion in sport
“Youth in Decision-Making: Equality and Sport” initiative, organised by the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF) within the framework of ENGSO’s Sport & Equality project, aimed to empower young people in sports by equipping them with skills and competencies to promote equality, with a particular emphasis on LGBTQI+ youth inclusion in decision-making.
The initiative was integrated in the implementation of EuroGames 2024, and took place on July 17-20 2024, in Vienna, Austria. Supported by the European Union’s CERV program, the event brought together 40 young people from across Europe. The gathering fostered the sharing of knowledge and experiences, with the overarching goal of strengthening a European network of advocates for equality, diversity, and inclusion while also inspiring the next generation of decision-makers. It ensured that young people, particularly those identifying as LGBTQI+, acquired the tools to drive progress toward equality in sports.
Participants engaged with experts in equality and sports, gaining insights from prior and upcoming EuroGames events. Through networking, they became part of a broader movement advocating for inclusive sports organisations and diverse decision-making bodies. The program also prioritised the inclusion of young people from vulnerable backgrounds, such as migrants, refugees, and LGBTQI+ individuals, using sports activities to enhance physical and mental well-being while fostering leadership and management skills.
During that activity in Vienna, follow-up initiatives of engaging marginalised youth in sport resulted in local actions to encourage the involvement of young people in the sports environment.
One example of it is the initiative that will take place on 16th of November in Marseille lead by young people and the organisation MARS that EGLSF will contribute to.
The event will be a youth initiative in Marseille, led by an EGLSF member, who is working to involve young people from vulnerable backgrounds (migrants, refugees, and LGBTQI+) in regular sports meetings and events, using these as a vehicle for improved physical and mental wellbeing but moreover as a tool to teach leadership and management.
Sarah Townsend, Vice Chair of the ENGSO Equality Within Sports (EWS) Committee, and Alessia de Iulis, member of the ENGSO Youth Committee will participate in the event to introduce participants to the work of local organisations and European bodies such as ENGSO Youth, ENGSO EWS, and EGLSF, outlining opportunities for ongoing involvement in sports and equality-focused initiatives and to take part actively in future sport events such as EuroeGames 2025 in Lyon.
This new local activity reflects a strong commitment and a big legacy of work from the “Youth in Decision-Making: Equality and Sport” initiative done in Vienna to fostering an equal and inclusive sports environment while empowering the next generation to lead the way in advocating for equality and diversity.