The Working Group Meeting of the EU-funded project “Safeguarding Children in Sports” (GUARD) marked a significant milestone with the successful start of its first Work Package 2 (WP2) session, held online. Chaired by Matea Horvat, the Child Safeguarding Officer at NOC Croatia and the designated lead for WP2, the meeting saw active participation from esteemed consortium representatives, contributing to the project’s overarching goal of ensuring the safety and protection of children in sports environments.
The meeting convened representatives from key project partners including the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Croatia, NOCs of Poland, Slovenia, Romania, Greece, Lithuania, and North Macedonia. The NOC of Luxembourg was also welcomed on board as an addition to an esteemed team working on this important topic.
The session delved into crucial topics aimed at collecting information about the regulatory framework and legal mechanisms within each organization to prevent harassment against children in sport. Participants exchanged insights on the applicable laws in their respective countries, emphasizing the importance of collaboration both internally and externally to create a safe and nurturing environment for children in sports and young athletes.
A pivotal outcome of the meeting was the delineation of the proposed structure for the WP2 deliverables, namely D2.1 “Guidance and procedures to safeguard and protect children in sport organizations” and D2.2 “Set of resources for Child Safeguarding Officers (CSOs) in sport organizations”. These deliverables are integral to the project’s mission of providing comprehensive support and resources to empower CSOs and sports organizations in safeguarding children.
The meeting concluded with a roadmap for the timely finalization and approval of the proposed deliverables’ structure, slated for mid-April, with the first draft scheduled for completion in June, adhering to the project’s planned timelines.
As the GUARD project continues to gain momentum, stakeholders remain dedicated to fostering a culture of safety, inclusivity, and protection for children participating in sports activities.
