SUPPORTER achieves key milestone in driving gender equality in sports

SUPPORTER achieves key milestone in driving gender equality in sports

25 August 2025

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As coordinator and communication leader of the SUPPORTER project, ESF is pleased to announce a key milestone: eight sports higher education institutions from Central and Eastern Europe, with the support of expert partners University of Gothenburg, South East European Research Centre, and ESF, have successfully developed, endorsed, and published their Inclusive, Innovative, Intersectional, and Impactful Gender Equality Plans (4I-GEPs). 

About the SUPPORTER Project

SUPPORTER is an EU-funded project that aims to foster gender related, sustainable, and transformative institutional changes in sports higher education institutions, paying specific attention to the challenge of gender-based violence and leading to the development of (4I-GEPs).   

The Development of the 4I-GEPs

The 4I-GEPs developed within SUPPORTER are the result of three years of collaborative and evidence-based work. Each institution carried out a gender equality audit, co-designed tailored roadmaps, and worked through mentoring, training, and mutual learning activities. This participatory process ensured that the final plans are both adapted to the specific needs of the sports sector and aligned with European guidelines for institutional change. 

ESF’s Role in the Project

Throughout this process, ESF has played a key role in ensuring smooth project management, quality delivery, and efficient collaboration with the consortium. In addition, our team lead the project’s communication and outreach efforts, helping to connect SUPPORTER’s results with the wider sports community. 

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