NEWS
On Wednesday, March 1, EAS (presented by Mojca Doupona) attended the kickoff meeting of the DCMentor project, which we are a partner of. The meeting was held in Oslo.
The project is designed to mitigate the difficulties encountered by athletes pursuing dual careers and to offer them assistance. Within this framework, we will devise extensive plans for numerous tools and solutions that will aid athletes in balancing dual careers such as life skills, future skills and 21th century skills.
We are eager to discover what accomplishments we can attain collectively in this project. We anticipate eagerly sharing the progress and results of our project with you in the future.
“Students-Athletes Facing the Olympic Games”
March 11, 2024 (from 12:00 CET).
Moderator
Prof. Dr. Beatriz Gomes, Professor of Biomechanics at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, and member of the Executive Board of the Portuguese Olympic Committee. Former Olympic athlete of Cannoing in two olympic games (Beijing, 2008; London, 2012) and World Champion in the K1 Marathon, 2009.
Participants:
Gévrise Émane, French Olympic judo medalist and three times world champion, working for French sport institute (INSEP) as life coach for athletes, she is Vice-President of the Judo French Federation, and TV and radio consultant.
Andy Criere, Spanish surfing athlete qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and student of Business Administration and Management at the at the Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), Spain.
David Di Veroli (TBC), Italian fencer qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and student of Economics and Management at the Italian LUISS Guido Carli University.
Looking forward to meeting you again, I wish you a nice week!
Bengt Nybelius, together with Risto Keskitalo, the founder of the European Athlete as Student Network (EAS), was a brilliant mind, who settled the objectives and the structure of the organisation in 2004. He passed away in 2011, and EAS decided to establish a scholarship to carry on the legacy of his work. Therefore, we are happy to announce the Call for Paper of the “2024 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship”
Aims of the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship
The aim of the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship is to facilitate the integration of outstanding scholars and young researchers in the area of dual career.
Eligibility to the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship
Regardless the nationality and country of residence, researchers up to 40 years of age could be eligible for the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship.
Requirements to apply to the 2024 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship
Applicants must submit as first author an original manuscript related to the scope of EAS. Manuscripts must not contain information presented in other manuscripts published elsewhere.
The manuscript should be written in English, between 15 and 30 pages double-spaced in Arial font size 11, including title page, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusions, acknowledgments (if applicable), references, tables, figures and legends, and statement of conflicts of interest.
Manuscripts must be accompanied by a cover letter, stating clearly why the work is considered suitable for the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship and explaining the importance of the study.
Selection of the 2024 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship Winner
The Board of EAS will consider the quality of submitted manuscripts and notify the winner by July 31, 2024. The winner has to summarize her/his work with a 15-minute oral presentation in English at the 2024 Annual EAS Conference in Katowice, Poland, October 1-3.
EAS will arrange travel, accommodation, and registration of the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship winner.
Application to the 2024 to disseminate Bengt Nybelius Scholarship
To be considered for the 2024 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship applicants before July 1st, 2024 (midnight CET) must submit by e-mail to info@dualcareer.eu, including:
- A copy of the manuscript (PDF)
- An abstract, 1 page, about 2400 characters
- Curriculum vitae and list of publications (if there are others)
Requests of further information, if needed, could be addressed to info@dualcareer.eu. We are looking forward to receiving your application!
On February 15, 2024, the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education of the University of Nis (Serbia) organized the kick-off meeting of the FIND ME project. The project leader is the University of Nis faculty of Sport and Physical education (Serbia) and partners are the University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti (Italy), University of Ljublana (Slovenia), University “Alexandru Ioan Cuza,” Iaši (Romania), International University of La Rioja SA (Spain), OKKAM SRL (Italy), The European Athlete as Students – EAS (Malta) and Collective Innovation AS NO (Norway).The project will be implemented until 2027 with the primary aim to structure an evidence-based European platform specifically tailored for sportspersons looking for the best option dual career to enroll at university level in Europe, in line with the recommendations of the EU Guidelines on Dual Careers of Athletes. The partners of the FIND ME consortium will bring together a solid experience in dual career networks at national, European, and International networks, the experience of the Italian dual career university platform (https://www.unisport-italia.it/en/dual-career/), the European Minimum Study on the minimum quality requirements for dual career services, the Research for cult committee qualifications/dual careers in sports, the participation in the More Then Gold guidelines as well as in several European dual career projects. Universities and organizations from various European countries will be invited to participate in the FIND ME project, whch could provide them a high visibility of their educational offer and dual career policies.
In the FIND ME project, EAS is represented by Laura Capranica, Ilvis Abelkalns and Antonio Figueiredo.
On January 30, 2024, the EAS President Laura Capranica and Treasurer Mojca Doupona attended with more than 500 participants the Erasmus+ Sport InfoDay organized in Brussels, with others following the event in an streaming modality. Recordings of the main sessions are available at https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/news-events/events/info-session-erasmus-sport-2024-2024-01-30_en, whereas further information on the Erasmus+ Programme is available in the Guide provided in 24 languages at https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-programme-guide.
European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) Acting Director opened the event with Mrs. Iliana Ivanova (European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth) and Mr. Pierre-Yves Jeholet (representative of the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council).
Two plenary sessions were scheduled in the morning, whereas in the afternoon three parallel session and a final plenary session were organized. In the first plenary session, Yves Le Lostecque (Head of Erasmus+ Mundus & Sport Unit, EACEA), Gael Broze (Head of Erasmus+ Sport Sector, EACEA) and Mr. Luciano Di Fonzo, (Deputy Head of Erasmus+ Mundus & Sport Unit, EACEA) introduced the ERASMUS+ Sport Programme, whereas Pawel Jesien (Polish Athletic Association) and Hebe Schaillee (Free University of Brussels) reported their experiences. In the second plenary session, Florencia Van Houdt, (Head of Sport Unit, DG EAC, European Commission), Milena de Murga, (Union of Sport Federations of Catalunya), Carlotta Giussani (European Olympic Committee EU Office), Vassos Koutsidoundas (Cyprus Sports Organisation) and Anna Merlini (Italian Canoe Kajak Federation) addressed the Erasmus+ Sport Policy priorities.
In the afternoon, the three parallel sessions focused on how to apply for Erasmus+ KA2 sport actions, on how to present project proposals, and on how to present a Capacity Building proposals. Among the EU funding opportunities in sports presented in the last plenary session, the Share 2.0 initiative was explained by Luciano Di Fonzo (Deputy Head of Erasmus+ Mundus & Sport Unit at EACEA) and Olivier Smith (Deputy Head of Unit Sport Policy at DG EAC of the European Commission); the Erasmus+ KA1 mobility of sport staff was illustrated by Violeta Birzniece (Sport Unit at DG EAC of the European Commission), and the Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions in the field of sport were described by Izabela Pelczynska (Erasmus+ Sport Sector at EACEA presented Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions in the field of sport).
Iban Garcia del Blanco (Member of the European Parliament) and Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen (Director General of DG EAC of the European Commission) highlighted the increased budget allocated to sport-specific EU policies in practices, and the growing interest and variety of applications to the funding opportunities in sports.
A special recognition was attributed to Yves Le Lostecque (Head of Erasmus+ Mundus & Sport Unit at EACEA and former Head of Sport Unit at DG EAC of the European Commission), who announced his retirement after having greatly contributed to the development of key European sport initiatives.
The deadline for ERASMUS+Sport Collaborative Parnerships and Capacity Building project applications is March 5, 2024.
Talent project
We are delighted to bring you the latest developments from the TALENT project, specifically highlighting the strategic endeavors of Work Package 3 spanning from February 2023 to March 2024.
E-STOP platform:
The E-STOP online platform is now operational at talent-edu.eu, marking a pivotal milestone in our pursuit of excellence. Unveiled during the Project Meeting in Athens (November 2023), the platform, championed by the Centre of Excellence of Split-Dalmatia County, boasts interactive features designed to provide comprehensive guidelines and recommendations to registered profiles.
Our commitment extends beyond the platform’s functionality. All project partners have unanimously agreed to contribute to the development of a robust database featuring key service providers specializing in talent identification and orientation within their respective countries. This collaborative effort aims to establish a cross-border network of expertise.
Methodological Handbook Unveiled
In alignment with the impactful outcomes of Work Package 2, the TALENT project Consortium proudly presents the Methodological Handbook. This meticulously crafted document sets forth Standards for the Detection and Assessment of the Potential of Talented Children in Sport. Validated by experts from the fields of sport and education, the Handbook adopts a longitudinal approach, delineating key phases in the talent development process, from animation for sports to talent confirmation and transfer.
The Handbook underscores the imperative of synergy between the biological, psychological, and sociological domains of an individual. Anchored in the Positive Youth Development concept, it emphasizes a holistic approach to talent cultivation.
Drawing inspiration from the Methodological Handbook, the development of educational and training materials for Work Package 4 is well underway. These materials will be presented and discussed during the upcoming project meeting scheduled for June 2024 in Cyprus.
We invite you to stay engaged with us as we continue to navigate the intricate landscape of talent development through the TALENT project. Your ongoing support is instrumental in shaping a future where every talent finds its optimal expression.
On December 18-20, 2023, the European University Sport Association (EUSA) Institute organized in Val di Zoldo, Italy, the kick-off meeting of the DiscoverU Collaborative Partnership, in conjunction with the European University Winter Championships & EUSA Winter Forum.
The consortium is coordinated by EUSA Institute includes Croatian Academic Sports Federation, UniSport Heart Foundation (CRO), Hungarian University Sports Federation – MEFS (HUN), the Akademcki Zwiazek Sportowy -AZS (POL), the University of Salerno and FederCUSI (ITA), and EAS (MLT). DiscoverU will gather information on sport and physical activity opportunities for students in higher education and will share good practice examples for university sport and dual career support in the partner countries. To enhance sport participation and active lifestyles of university students the partner organizations will engage in blended learning, share experiences, gain new information and skills.
On December 16, 2023, the University of Soochow, China, organized an international meeting with the Chrles University of Prague, The University of Rome Foro Italico and the University of Taipei, followed y a Sport Forum during which Prof. Laura Capranica, President of EAS, presented the European dual career policies and activities.
Among the efforts of the European Commission in supporting Collaborative Partnerships and Capacity Building projects, the projects on dual career financed in the last decade were illustrated.
Furthermore, the role and contribution of EAS in addressing specific dual career issues in past, present, and future EU-funded projects were highlighted, also envisaging possible cooperation with non-European countries. In fact, dual career could be considered a valuable means for sport diplomacy to improve the dialogue, relations, and cultural exchanges between countries.
Coordinated by the University of Limerick (IRE) in cooperation with EAS (MLT), Elite Sports Academy Aarhus – ESAA (DEN), European University Sports Association Institute – EUSA (SLO), European Platform for Sports and Innovation – EPSI (BEL), Human Age Institute Foundation (ITA), Roma Tre University (ITA), University of Ljubljana (SLO), and University of Nis (SRB), after three years the Brand Values Alignment through Dual Career (BRAVA) project, co-funded by the European ERASMUS+Sport Programme (622824-EPP-1-2020-1-IE-SPO-SCP), has come to its end. On December 12, 2023, EPSI hosted the last transnational meeting of BRAVA-DC in Brussels (BEL) to discuss the achieved outcomes and to foresee further development in the dual career of the employee-sportsperson. Despite the pandemic challenges, the consortium successfully accomplished important steps in uncovering the evidence and eminence of the dual career at the workplace, which were summarized in scientific contributions, and a report with 16 guidelines and an evaluation tool available at https://edu.bravadualcareer.eu.
In the afternoon, more than 30 in-person and 100 online participants attended the Final Conference of BRAVA-DC, which was organized in conjunction with the 11th EAS online Cafè. Alberto Bichi (Director of EPSI) welcomed the participants on behalf of the hosting organization and project consortium, and Prof Ciaran Mac Donncha (Coordinator, University of Limerick) illustrated the main outcomes and findings of the project.
Dr. Kolë Gjeloshaj (Strategic coordinator at the European Fair-Play Movement – EFPM), previous Chair of the International Fair-Play Committee – CIFP) Scientific Committee, Scientific Collaborator at the Institute of Sociology of the Université Libre de Bruxelles and Vice-President of the Panathlon Wallonie-Bruxelles and Belgium) emphasized the relevance of values for dual career, which need more reflections and future actions.
Navy Officer Florentia Sfakianou (Olympian and Public Affairs Officer at International Military Sports Council – CISM), presented the dual career opportunities offered by military sports to actual and former athletes and the efforts of CISM in organizing one of the largest global sports events.
Dr. Ignazio Cocchiere (Policy officer in the Sport Unit of the European Commission’s department for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport – DG EAC, and soccer player) highlighted the European values and priorities in the field of sport, including the importance of dual career from the viewpoint of the EU and Sport Unit. He also offered his personal dual career experience as a professional football player in Italy, Switzerland and Belgium, and as an employee at the EU institutions.
More information on BRAVA-DC project is available at www.bravadualcareer.eu.
OPENING FOR DUAL CAREER MENTOR CENTER IN LATVIA
On December 12, in the city restaurant “Lapsas Māja”, members of the Latvian University Sports Federation (LUSF) together with his colleagues and representatives of the sports industry opened the Dual Career Mentor Center (DCMC).
At the event, LUSF presented DCMC’s Informative publication “Dual Career Challenges and Options”. The authors of the informative edition are LASS president, Agita Abele, LU professor Anna Liduma, Head of the Department of Teacher Education of the University of Latvia Ilvis Abelkalns, and LSPA Ph.D. student Sofia Spidola Martinsone.
Today, sports and education are two essential areas of personal and professional growth in self-realization. Dual career issues are becoming more and more relevant around the world, especially in youth education, when high school graduates start planning their sports life career, wanting to connect it with education and learning a profession at a university.
An informative – educational publication on Dual career opportunities has been created by the Latvian Student Sports Union (LASS) and the International Student Sports Federation (FISU) within the cooperation project and it can be used by anyone interested in a dual career and the possibilities of realizing it in sports and educational careers.
The event was opened by LASS president Agita Ābele, emphasizing Latvia’s current situation and especially the importance of Dual careers today. Member of the 14th SAEIMA Davis Martins Daugavietis, chairman of the sports subcommittee, emphasized personalities and the importance of competencies and diverse resources, thus motivating the further development of sports and supporting student-athletes in their growth towards academic and chosen excellence in the professional sector.
LASS members and guests discussed future ideas and possibilities in anticipation of the anniversary methods for their effective implementation and various upcoming changes in sports and education in question.
DKMC Informative edition is available on the website: https://studentusports.lv/duala-
career-3/
Information prepared by
Sports Union of Latvian Universities
REG. NUMBER: Voluntary Organisation registration VO/1270
PIC NUMBER: 913459865
Email: info@dualcareer.eu