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The seventh edition of ENGSO’s flagship event, the European Sport Platform, took place in Pristina, from 21-23 November 2024.
The 2024 European Sport Platform provided a valuable opportunity to shape the future of European grassroots sport. The event focused on equipping organisations and clubs with the tools to analyse how society can progress through key values such as integrity, equality, and good governance in sport. It also served as a platform to unite and strengthen the European grassroots sport movement, while exploring the role of sport in fostering stronger communities and more peaceful societies, particularly through the promotion of EU values.
The event brought together prominent speakers and experts for a series of workshops and discussions focused on the lasting impact of major sporting events, human rights, equality, and the role of cities in fostering healthier, more active communities.
One key session was led by Lukas Vorel of ACES Europe, who emphasised the positive influence of the European Capital of Sport award on host cities and their populations.
The workshop on the legacy of major sporting events featured contributions from Gerard Esteva Viladecans, President of Unió de Federacions Esportives de Catalunya, Besim Aliti, Secretary General of the Kosovo Olympic Committee, and Petra Gantnerova from the Slovak Olympic Sport Committee. They discussed the lasting benefits such events bring to grassroots sport and society at large.
A third workshop addressed equality and human rights in sport, with a diverse panel of experts, including Hugh Torrance from LEAP Sport Scotland, Vanja Smokvina from the University of Rijeka, Sam de Vor from NOC*NSF, Dr Daniela Heerdt from the Centre for Sports and Human Rights, Armenda Filipaj from UN Women, and Ines Azaieza from the Supporter Project.
The event’s final session focused on building a sustainable grassroots sports movement to encourage active participation and promote healthier, more connected communities. Anna Ottosson Blixth, CEO of the Swedish Sports Confederation in the Jämtland Härjedalen region, presented successful frameworks and strategies for empowering grassroots sport. Lorik Cana, founder of the Lorik Cana 5 Foundation, also shared valuable insights from his work establishing sports foundations in Albania and Kosovo, highlighting their positive impact on local communities and children.
As the event drew to a close, the ENGSO flag was ceremoniously passed from Pristina to Oslo and Barcelona, marking the upcoming host cities. Gerard Esteva, President of UFEC, welcomed attendees to Barcelona, Spain, the next host of the European Sport Platform. Additionally, ENGSO ExCom member Magnus Sverdrup invited everyone to the 2025 ENGSO General Assembly, set to take place in Oslo, Norway, from June 13-15, 2025.
Find here more information on the event and its speakers.