YOULEAD: Advancing Training for Inclusive Sport Governance
On 10 November, partners involved in *WP2 (Research)* and the development of the training pathways met online to review progress and coordinate the next steps of the Erasmus+ *YOULEAD* project, coordinated by Panathlon International.
The discussion focused on *turning research findings into practical, accessible training resources* for young people and sport organisation leaders, promoting good governance and greater youth participation in decision-making.
Another step towards *more inclusive and participatory sport governance*!!
YOULEAD – First Meeting with new EU Project Officer
On 10 November 2026, Panathlon International held the first meeting with its new EU Project Officer within the Erasmus+ Sport project YOULEAD.
The online meeting provided an opportunity for introductions, as well as for different requests, such as clarifications on different deliverables, deadlines and reporting procedures.
We sincerely thank our new EU Project Officer, with whom the YOULEAD Consortium looks very much forward to work with.
YOULEAD – “Young People and Governance in Sport – From Recognition to Effective Participation”
On 5 November, from 9.00 pm to 10.30 pm, at the Ginásio Clube Português, the session “YOUTH AND GOVERNANCE IN SPORT – From Recognition to Effective Participation” will take place, in collaboration with the Erasmus+ Sport project: YOULEAD – Leading the Game: Developing Pathways for Gender-Balanced Youth Leaders in Sports Governance, coordinated by Panathlon International, which will bring together diverse experiences and perspectives for an intergenerational debate on the obstacles, opportunities and pathways that could foster more meaningful participation by young people in the life and decision-making of sports organisations.
For the Panathlon Club Lisbon, this reflection is directly in line with its mission to promote ethics, integrity and sporting values. Good governance is not limited to compliance with rules and procedures: it also requires transparency, participation, representativeness and an organisational culture capable of recognising and valuing the contribution of different generations.
Rather than simply identifying the need to renew leadership, the aim is to reflect on the conditions that will enable us to train, engage and empower the younger generations, thereby contributing to a more participatory, ethical and sustainable approach to sports governance.
The session will be moderated by Ines Caetano, a former modern pentathlon athlete and founder of Sport Embassy.
Ethical reflections on justice, public health and inclusion in sport CCRE – PI webinar on 29 October 2026
New perspectives from research
The relationship between academic research and the world of sport was the focus of the webinar organised by Panathlon International’s Commission for Culture, Research and Education, dedicated to the themes of justice, public health and inclusion.
The event formed part of the collaboration with MAISI, the Erasmus Mundus international master’s programme in sports ethics and integrity, presented by Professor Silvia Camporesi. The programme involves five European universities and offers interdisciplinary training combining ethics, law, philosophy and sports management, preparing young professionals and researchers to tackle the challenges facing the sector.
The webinar featured two young researchers, who shared their reflections on practical aspects of inclusion in sport.
Claire Nowicki presented research on the participation of refugee women in sport in Europe, highlighting how the good intentions of organisations do not always translate into real opportunities. To make initiatives truly inclusive, it is necessary to consider practical and organisational barriers, but above all to listen to and involve the people for whom they are intended.
Giulia Sesa, meanwhile, examined the difficulties faced by athletes with type 1 diabetes in gaining access to military and civilian sports groups within the Italian state. Using the case of the athlete Anna Arnaudo, she highlighted how certain regulatory criteria can limit career opportunities even for athletes recognised as fit to practise sport.
These two distinct contributions drew attention to a common theme: the value of inclusion is also measured by the concrete choices, rules and opportunities offered by the sporting system.
The webinar thus provided new food for thought – including for clubs – on how ethical principles can be applied in the day-to-day practice of sport.
Panathlon International: the Culture, Research and Education Commission’s initiatives continue
New webinars to promote ethics, integrity and inclusion in sport.
The work of Panathlon International’s Culture, Research and Education Commission continues, as it remains committed to promoting the values of sport through in-depth discussions, training initiatives and international collaboration projects.
The next event is scheduled for Thursday 29 October 2026, at 6.00 pm (CET) – 2.00 pm (BRASILIA), with a new webinar dedicated to the theme “Ethical reflections on justice, public health and inclusion in sport”, coordinated by Köle Gjeloshaj .
The session will draw on the research of Claire Nowick, a former student on the Erasmus Mundus Master’s programme in Ethics and Integrity in Sport (MAiSI), and Giulia Sesa, a PhD student in the Doctoral Training Network in Ethics and Integrity in Sport (DAiSI). The session will be presented by Professor Silvia Camporesi, lecturer in Integrity and Ethics in Sport at KU Leuven.
Access via the QR code or
https://bit.ly/webinarseries-pi
We invite you to share this and hope to see many of you there!
Panathlon was represented at the Irish Presidency Conference on Sport, 23 September and EWOS kickoff in Dublin
Paul Standaert represented Panathlon International at the 2026 kick off of EWOS. This year the event took place in Dublin, organized by the Irish Presidency of the EU.
On 23 September, Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, opened the Presidency Conference and welcomed delegates from leading sport organisations, sport federations, European networks and policymaking bodies. The programme combined plenary sessions on the role of traditional sports and games (TSGs) across Europe and on sport as cultural heritage with parallel thematic sessions.
The morning sessions took place under the theme "Pathways to Growth", with a focus on diversity and on social inclusion and disability. In the afternoontvwo further parallel sessions followed, on "Sport and Changing Demographics" and on "Sustainability and Sport: The Role of Traditional Sports and Games".
Georg Hausler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport at the European Commission (DG EAC), and Sarah Lynch, Deputy Head of Unit at DG EAC, presented the main findings of the newly published 2026 Eurobarometer on Sport and Physical Activity (https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3685).
During the discussions, Andrej Pisl of the EUSA Institute highlighted the European Citizens project "Give Sport a Say". The project empowers people and sporting communities by giving them a direct voice in decision-making and civic dialogue. Afterwards, participants visited Croke Park Stadium, watched a demonstration by the Irish Guild of Hurley Makers and were introduced to traditional Gaelic games.
The following day marked the opening of the European Week of Sport (23–30 September). In keeping with the #BeActive initiatives, participants took part in para-sport activities before the formal launch ceremony, moderated by Paralympic athlete Ellen Keane.
Panathlon follow-up
Georg Hausler was keynote speaker at the Panathlon Congress in Ghent earlier this year. At this conference in Dublin, Paul Standaert spoke with him about possible Erasmus+ projects between Panathlon and European and non-European partners. The EU antenna in Brussels can further develop this approach as Paul has registered for Panathlon International at the Erasmus Plus Sport Event in Brussels on December 18th.
Paul also met 2024 Olympic pommel horse gold medallist Rhys McClenagan (at his training session), as well as Paralympic gold medallist Ellen Keane who was the master of ceremony at the official start of EWOS.
Finally, contact was made with Leandro Mendes of European Lotteries to discuss possible collaboration with Panathlon International.
YOULEAD is heading to Seville!
On 7 October 2026, we held a coordination meeting to prepare the upcoming YOULEAD – Leading the Game Transnational Project Meeting in Seville.
Together with our Spanish hosting partner, we reviewed the logistics, programme and key activities for the meeting, which will bring the YOULEAD partners together to advance our work on gender-balanced youth leadership in sports governance.
The preparations are progressing well, with the Info Pack and programme now being finalised. We look forward to meeting again in Seville and continuing to move YOULEAD forward!
#YOULEAD #LeadingTheGame #ErasmusPlus #Sport #YouthLeadership #SportsGovernance #GenderEquality
Conference: “Sport that Builds Relationships” - RelazionExpo – Palazzo della Gran Guardia, Verona
In the prestigious setting of the Palazzo della Gran Guardia in Verona, as part of RelazionExpo, the conference “Sport that Builds Relationships” took place, dedicated to the role of sport as a tool for inclusion, personal growth, wellbeing and the development of human relationships.
The event provided an important opportunity to explore highly topical issues, confirming the tangible contribution of sporting activity to building positive bonds, strengthening a sense of belonging and promoting a culture based on respect, participation and solidarity.
The proceedings were opened by the International President of Panathlon International, Giorgio Chinellato, who highlighted the ethical principles and values underpinning the Panathlon movement and the role of sport as a universal language, capable of fostering dialogue, integration and community growth.
This was followed by contributions from International Board Member Fabiano Gerevini, who reflected on the importance of the relationships that are formed and strengthened through sporting activity; psychologist Federica Perolini, on the psychological aspects linked to interpersonal relationships; Emanuela Schiavini, on the relationship between health, wellbeing and sporting activity; journalist Giovanna Pastega, on the role of communication in conveying the values of sport; and Paralympic champion Sandra Truccolo, who gave a particularly moving account of the inclusive value of sport and its ability to transform difficulties into opportunities for personal and collective growth.
During the conference, various aspects relating to the educational and social dimensions of sport were explored in depth: from the promotion of authentic relationships and emotional skills to the contribution made to preventing distress, safeguarding mental and physical wellbeing, and building positive social networks.
Particular attention was paid to the ‘Seconda Chance’ project, presented by Giovanna Pastega and Sandra Truccolo, which aims to promote sporting activities within prisons as an opportunity for social rehabilitation, personal growth and reintegration. The project involves both prisoners and prison service staff, highlighting the value of sport as a tool for dialogue, mutual respect and the creation of new perspectives, even in the most complex contexts.
Considerable attention was also given to the phenomenon of Hikikomori and Panathlon International’s commitment to raising awareness of this growing social crisis. The speakers emphasised the role of sport as a practical resource for preventing isolation, boosting self-esteem, encouraging socialisation and contributing to pathways of inclusion and the restoration of relationships, in collaboration with families, schools, health professionals, educators and sports organisations.
A strong and shared message emerged from the speakers’ discussions: sport is not merely about competition or the pursuit of performance, but a true training ground for life, capable of fostering trust, genuine relationships, a sense of responsibility and new opportunities for individuals and communities.
The conference reaffirmed Panathlon International’s commitment to promoting a sporting culture based on ethics, inclusion and the empowerment of the individual, so that sport may continue to be a genuine driving force for human and social growth.
Panathlon International and Fundación Miguel Induráin Explore Erasmus+ Cooperation Opportunities
Panathlon International and Spain’s Fundación Miguel Induráin held an online meeting on 8 October 2026 to explore new opportunities for collaboration within the Erasmus+ Sport programme.
The meeting brought together Simona Callo, Monica Rossi and Fabio Figueiras from Panathlon International, and Marta Hernández Romero from Fundación Miguel Induráin, a public organisation based in Navarra, Spain.
Discussions focused on shared priorities, particularly gender equality, youth participation in sports governance, inclusion and the promotion of sporting values. Potential joint projects were also explored, with particular interest in initiatives supporting women's health and well-being through physical activity.
The meeting marks a positive step towards strengthening European partnerships and developing concrete initiatives that promote a more inclusive, accessible and values-based sporting environment.
Panathlon International signs a collaboration agreement with the International Catch’n Serve Ball Sports Federation (ICSBF)
6 october - The visit to Lausanne also represented another important opportunity to strengthen Panathlon International’s network of international partnerships. On this occasion, a collaboration agreement was signed with the International Catch’n Serve Ball Sports Federation (ICSBF), an international organisation committed to promoting an inclusive sport based on the values of equality, respect and fair play.
Relations between the two organisations had been consolidated during the CSIT World Sports Games in San Marino, when the Federation’s President, Elisabeth Speiser-Havel, was presented with an award by Panathlon International. That meeting had provided an important first opportunity for mutual understanding and dialogue, highlighting shared values, objectives and issues to be developed through a more structured collaboration.
The agreement was also signed in Lausanne by the Federation’s Vice-President, Milan Čupić, who had previously spearheaded the establishment of the Panathlon Club Croatia – Pula, confirming a relationship that combines the growth of Panathlon’s presence in the region with new opportunities for international cooperation.