The Building European Safe Sport Together (BESST) project has developed a range of materials to support European sports organisations in the implementation of effective safeguarding practices.
The BESST project was funded by the European Commission’s Erasmus+ Sport, and conducted by a consortium of seven organisations including the National Olympic Committees of the Netherlands and Slovenia. They were joined by European Olympic Academies (EOA), IGNITX, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Rudi Hiti Academy and UEFA Foundation for Children.
The project was discussed at the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Seminar in Budva, Montenegro in September, and aligns closely with the EOC’s commitment to providing a safe, equal and inclusive environment for all athletes to fulfill their potential and inspire healthy lifestyles across the continent.
Newly-released materials follow two years of extensive research and collaboration, and mark a significant step towards a safer sports environment across Europe.
They include a modern definition of abuse and harassment in sport, with “transgressive behaviour” a unified way to describe all harmful behaviours in sport. This examines the dynamics that foster such behaviours, identifies obstacles to safeguarding progress, and outlines essential principles for creating a safe sports environment.
Research findings are also included in the resources, along with frameworks for sports organisations to effectively integrate safeguarding standards, and awareness, education and framework toolkits to enable sports organisations to implement effective safeguarding practices within their own structures and among their members.
The BESST project’s findings highlight the need for prioritisation and resources to strengthen awareness and capacity for effective safeguarding measures, and to drive a culture change towards sports free from transgressive behaviours.
Daniela Negreda, Advisor and Business Strategist of IGNITX, stressed that “the BESST project has truly hit a nerve across Europe. The feedback has highlighted the importance of accessible, ready-to-use resources that allow sports organisations to take immediate action in their safeguarding implementation plans.”
EOA Project Coordinator Soenke Schadwinkel added: “Our goal has always been to equip European sports organisations with resources that are not only informative but actionable. We believe the provided toolkits will empower organisations to proactively raise awareness and establish safe environments for everyone involved in sports.”
To learn more about how to prevent transgressive behaviour and access all the resources, visit the project BESST website at: https://besst-safesport.eu/.
The IOC has a range of tools for reports of transgressive behaviour in sport to be investigated with strict confidence and confidentiality.
This includes a dedicated hotline which can be accessed here in order to confidentially report abuse.
Further resources are available here on the Safe Sport section of the Athlete365 website, and more information can be provided by contacting safeguardingofficer@olympic.org.
