PROJECT NAME:
Sport for Sustainable Development of Youth and Sports Clubs
About the project
The project “Sport for Sustainable Development of Youth and Sports Clubs”[#SportClubsYouth4Sustain], № 101184287 — SportClubsYouth4Sust—ERASMUS-SPORT-2024, addresses the Horizontal priority in Erasmus+ related to the environment and fight against climate change as well as the specific priority: promoting education in and through sport with a focus on supporting skills development in sport, and employability through sport.
The main objective of the project #SportClubsYouth4Sustain is to promote education in and through sport with a special focus on eco-entrepreneurial skills development among youth at the transition from secondary school to university and staff members of sport clubs, while promoting sustainable development principles in sport organization management. This will be achieved by: *elaborating Innovative Methodology “Eco-entrepreneurial competences for Youth and Sports Clubs sustainable development”, *testing it through conducting two Eco-entrepreneurial Sports Bootcamps – for Sport Clubs (during the EU Green Week) and for Youth during the European Week of Sport as well as *creating a Virtual Platform that offers e-learning tool “Eco-entrepreneurial Vademecum: Sports Clubs and Youth for Sustainable Development” and an e-library to support the acquisition and sharing of knowledge and eco-entrepreneurial skills. Through these initiatives, the project aims to build green [GreenComp] and entrepreneurial [EntreComp] competences though ETS, enhance sports club management, and contribute to the holistic development of young people, while promoting sustainable practices and principles in sports organizations.
The project target groups are as follows:
1) The Direct target groups:
– young people at the transition from secondary school to university, aged 15-19 years old [1/4 with fewer opportunities due to socio-economic reasons and/or differences in ethno-religious background] and
– team members of sport clubs;
2) Indirect group: coaches, trainers, youth workers, physical education teachers and educational institutions who will be potential users of the #SportClubsYouth4Sustain project intellectual outputs and the Virtual Platform for enhanced sports management, youth and sustainable development.
The specific project objectives are as follows:
- Matching key entrepreneurial transversal competences, identified by the EntreComp conceptual model of the EC [such as: planning and management; taking the initiative; working with others; coping with uncertainty, ambiguity and risk; learning through experience] with key GreenComp competences in sustainability [such as: valuing sustainability, supporting fairness, promoting nature], presented in the European Commission JRC report on “Sustainability competences 2020” in innovative combination of eco-entrepreneurial competences. Thus promoting entrepreneurship as a transversal skill and green skills among youth and staff members of sport clubs. (SO1)
- Developing through sport – green skills and eco-entrepreneurial competences methodology as well as initiatives that promote environmental sustainability in sport clubs. The innovative methodology for young people at the transition from secondary school to university and staff members of sport clubs – “Eco-entrepreneurial competences for Youth and Sports Clubs sustainable development”, aims to empower youth and sports club team members with eco-entrepreneurial skills through sport, while promoting sustainable development principles in sport organization management. (SO2)
- Providing young people (including youth with fewer opportunities) and staff members of sport clubs of all ages with opportunities to find out about the climate change, global warming and sustainability management trough sport and in non-formal education, and to make learning for the green transition a priority in the two Eco-entrepreneurial Sports Bootcamps – for Sport Clubs (during the EU Green Week) and for Youth (during the European Week of Sport). (SO3)
- Realizing people-to-people connectivity between youth and sports club team members from two EU Member States (BG, EL) and a country from Western Balkans with a strong European perspective (RNM), with a special emphasis on sport as a powerful tool for skills development and means to raise environmental awareness. (SO4)
- Enabling behavioural changes for individual preferences, environmental awareness through education through sport among youth. Moreover providing training and support for sports club members on sustainable development principles in sport organization management, including reducing ecological footprints and promoting environmentally friendly behaviour. (SO5)
- Creating a Virtual platform for enhanced sports management, youth and sustainable development, that includes e-library and a learning toolbox that embodies the: Innovative Methodology “Eco-entrepreneurial competences for Youth and Sports Clubs sustainable development”; the “Vademecum: Sports Clubs and Youth for Sustainable Development” for promoting green mind-set, skills and sustainable development through sport as well as supports the use of innovative practices to make learners, sport clubs team members and youth true actors of change. (SO6)
- Organizing and participating in seven events and EU Green Week and European Week of Sport 2025, involving altogether more than 185 participants from the target groups: 1 KOM transnational meetings, 1 Virtual Coordination Meeting, two Eco-entrepreneurial Sports Bootcamps – for Sport Clubs (during the EU Green Week) and for Youth during the European Week of Sport, three press conferences at national level. (SO7)
8. Increasing the capacity of the project organizations to operate at transnational level and across sectors. (SO8)
Activities
Date: 17th of February 2025
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SportClubsYouth4Sustain project officially started
On the 14th of February 2025, the first #SportClubsYouth4Sustain transnational project meeting was successfully held in Komotini, Greece. Partners from START (Bulgaria), Democritus University of Thrace (Greece) and the Association for Comprehensive Education, Sport and Arts (North Macedonia) gathered to collaborate on the next steps of the project.
During the meeting, the team discussed the full project timeline and division of tasks, ensuring a smooth and effective implementation process. They also worked in depth on refining the project methodology – exploring sports and games that participants could easily relate to, drawing inspiration from the sustainability efforts of leading EU sports organisations, and building a “life library” of well-known athletes whose journeys exemplify key eco-entrepreneurial competences.
The project “Sport for Sustainable Development of Youth and Sports Clubs” (№ 101184287 — SportClubsYouth4Sust—ERASMUS-SPORT-2024) addresses the Horizontal priority in Erasmus+ related to the environment and fight against climate change as well as the specific priority: promoting education in and through sport with a focus on supporting skills development in sport, and employability through sport.
Date: 21st of May 2025
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Virtual coordination meeting “Let’s Collaborate on Innovation”
On 20 May 2025, the consortium successfully held its virtual coordination meeting “Let’s Collaborate on Innovation”, bringing together all partners to discuss the interim progress of #SportClubsYouth4Sustain.
During the meeting, partners reviewed the development of the project’s Innovative Methodology, reflecting on its structure, tools and relevance for both youth and sports organisations. They also discussed the outcomes and feedback gathered from the Eco-entrepreneurial Sports Bootcamp for Sport Clubs, ensuring that the insights gained would strengthen the upcoming activities and resources.
The meeting marked an important step in maintaining strong collaboration, aligning next actions and continuing the shared commitment to supporting sustainability and eco-entrepreneurial competences through sport.
Date: 29th of August 2025
SportClubsYouth4Sustain project methodology is officially completed
You can access the full methodology here:
https://youth4sustain.eu/…/Methodology…
This open educational resource offered a valuable opportunity for stakeholders across Europe and beyond, supporting education through sport and aligning with key European and global sustainability frameworks. It reinforced the ambitions of the European Union’s Green Deal sport sector initiatives, the European Sport Model, Agenda 2030, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The methodology encouraged the integration of eco-friendly sports practices, sustainability standards, and long-term environmental strategies into the development and management of sports clubs and organisations. It also supported the broader mission of empowering youth and sports communities with the skills needed to contribute to a greener future.
Date: 30th of Sept. 2025
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Eco-entrepreneurial Sports Bootcamp for Youth events
Each project partner proudly organised and conducted an “Eco-entrepreneurial Sports Bootcamp for Youth” in their respective countries during the European Week of Sport in September. These events empowered young people by combining sport-based learning with the development of key eco-entrepreneurial competences.
The bootcamps focused on an innovative mix of GreenComp through sport and EntreComp through sport, helping participants build both sustainability awareness and entrepreneurial mindsets through engaging physical and collaborative activities.
GreenComp through sport
Participants developed competences that helped them connect personal values with sustainability and understand their role within natural systems:
Reflecting on personal values; recognising how values differ across people and time; and evaluating how they align with sustainability principles.
Supporting equity and justice for current and future generations, while learning from past generations to strengthen sustainability efforts.
Acknowledging that humans are part of nature, and respecting the needs and rights of other species and ecosystems to regenerate healthy, resilient environments.
EntreComp through sport
Through dynamic, sport-based tasks, youth strengthened entrepreneurial competences essential for initiative-taking and collaborative problem-solving:
Taking the initiative
Planning and management
Coping with uncertainty, ambiguity and risk
Working with others
Learning through experience
These bootcamps created inspiring learning environments where young people could discover their potential, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward shaping a more sustainable future through sport.
Date: 29th of November 2025
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Eco-entrepreneurial Sports Bootcamp for Sport Clubs was held in Sofia
The project consortium proudly organised an “Eco-entrepreneurial Sports Bootcamp for Sport Clubs” in Sofia, Bulgaria. The event presented the project’s Innovative Methodology and guided participants through three thematic modules designed to strengthen eco-entrepreneurial, managerial and sustainability competences in and through sport.
Module 1: Eco-entrepreneurial competences through sport
This module had been based on the EntreComp “In Action” framework and the GreenComp dimension “Embodying sustainability values.” Participants explored key competences that support eco-innovation, responsibility, and value creation in sports environments.
Module 2: Organisation management in and through sport
This module introduced essential principles of sport organisation management, from establishing mission and goals to applying effective and ethical management practices – including examples from leading European sports organisations.
Module 3: Sustainable development in and through sport
Participants learned about the foundations of sustainability in sport, the ecological footprint of sport activities, outstanding European examples of sustainable practices, and the evolving role of sport managers in driving environmental responsibility.
The bootcamp served as an inspiring opportunity for sports clubs to gain knowledge, exchange ideas, and build the competences needed to lead the transition toward greener, more sustainable sports communities.