Author: duponam
Under the European Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (CERV), EAS joins experienced European partners (Italian Organisation for Sports – OPES Italy, Coordinator; the European Network of Sport Education – ENSE, Austria; the EU Sport Link, Belgium; the European University Sports Association – EUSA Institute, Slovenia; The Association For International Sport for All – TAFISA, Germany; the Sports Federation Union of Catalonia – UFEC, Spain) to promote the European fundamental values, democracy, and human rights, engaging citizens directly with policy-makers in a collective effort to shape the future of European sport policy.
From March 2026 to February 2028, The Give Sport a Say project (CERV-2025-CITIZENS-CIV-101253838) will implement 16 events across Europe to:
– Inform: Evaluating knowledge and explaining EU decision-making processes.
– Build Capacity: Providing practical skills and deeper insights into human rights in sport.
– Engage: Empowering citizens to contribute to policy dialogues and future EU sport strategies.
To facilitate a thorough discussion and to collect ideas for an advancement of the European culture in and through sports, the activities will be integrated into the regular sporting, educational, and governance events of the Partners.
“Give Sport a Say: give citizens a real say for the future of the EU in and through sports” project is co-funded by the European Union through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme, within the Citizens engagement call.
The University of Ljubljana hosted the 4th partner meeting of the Erasmus+ project FIND ME Erasmus+ Project on 19 February 2026. The main objective of the project is to develop a European platform to support the dual careers of student-athletes. Representing European Athlete as Student Network (EAS), Ilvis Ābeļkalns and Laura Capranica attended the meeting.
Eight partner organisations from seven countries came together to coordinate the next steps in developing a digital environment that will centralise study programmes tailored to the needs of dual career athletes across Europe.
The project aims to provide a systemic solution for more effective coordination of academic and sporting commitments, while also strengthening international cooperation in supporting dual careers. During the meeting, partners defined concrete development milestones for the continued establishment of the platform, which will offer student-athletes a clear, accessible, and sustainable tool to better plan and manage their dual careers within the European higher education landscape.
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 “2026 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 2026 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 2026 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship Winner
The Board of EAS will consider the quality of submitted manuscripts and notify the winner by July 31, 2026. The winner will have to summarize her/his work with a 15-minute oral presentation in English at the 2026 Annual EAS Conference in Oulu, Finland, October 5-7.
EAS will arrange travel, accommodation, and registration of the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship winner.
Application to the 2026 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship
To be considered for the 2026 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship applicants before July 1th, 2026 (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 behalf of the Board of EAS
Laura Capranica
As part of the strategic and operational preparation for the 23rd Annual Conference of the European Athlete Student – Dual Career Network (EAS), three members of the EAS Executive Committee, Ole Keldorf, António Figueiredo,and Risto Keskitalo (local organizer), conducted an official institutional visit to Oulu, Finland, the European Capital of Culture 2026 (https://www.ouka.fi/en).
Risto Keskitalo, played a fundamental role in facilitating communication between the EAS delegation and the local organizing partners in the organizational process of the conference, allowing for an in-depth evaluation of local conditions, facilities, and partnerships, and ensuring that all logistical, academic, and institutional requirements will be fully aligned with the standards and expectations of the EAS community.
To finalize the terms of the agreement between the European Athlete Student – Dual Career Network and the Kastelli Upper Secondary School (https://www.ouka.fi/kastellin-lukio), a formal working meeting was organized with members of the local organizing committee, Director Pekka Fredriksson and Principal Jani Syrjälä, who represent key educational and municipal stakeholders in Oulu. The discussions were characterized by a strong spirit of collaboration, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to promoting excellence in dual career development for athlete students across Europe.
The Hotel Lasaretti (https://lasaretti.com/en/) has been selected to host the 23rd EAS Annual Conference, which is situated in a unique and culturally rich environment, combining modern conference infrastructure with a distinctive architectural and historical character. Oulu also offer several accommodation solutions capable of hosting the diverse group of conference participants, guaranteeing accessibility, service quality, flexible booking options, and proximity to the conference venue.
The outcomes of this visit reinforce Oulu’s position as an outstanding host city for the EAS Annual Conference and highlight the city’s strong engagement with dual career policies and practices. With preparations now firmly underway, the EAS community looks forward with great anticipation to gathering in Oulu in October 2026 for what promises to be a high-quality, impactful, and inspiring conference dedicated to the advancement of dual career support for athlete students across Europe.
On January 22-23, 2026, the KOLMEN KAMPUKSEN URHEILUOPISTO (KKU) organized the kick off meeting of the FOCUS Project at the Kisakallio Sports Institute (Finland). Coordinated by NYSA (Sweden), in cooperation with BK HACKEN (Sweden), RFS Academy (Latvia), LATVIJAS AUGSTSKOLU SPORTA SA VIENIBA (LUSF – Latvia), TURUN KAUPUNKI (Finland), KKU (Finland) and EAS, the FOCUS project aims to establish an innovative and scalable Dual Career co-created framework, ensuring that elite football players can successfully transition from youth to professional sport levels while maintaining educational and career opportunities.
By utilizing the Cynefin framework, athletes and stakeholders will explore decision-making strategies in complex career transitions, with an emphasis on narrative-driven ethnographic research to shape European policy recommendations. Starting from a desk analysis of the football and educational contexts in place in Finland, Latvia, and Sweden, a systematic literature review of dual career in European football, an online survey, and national focus groups, the project will encompass actual testing sessions, and will culminate in the dissemination of practical toolkits, policy guidelines, and a scalable Dual Career model, integrating sport and education to foster athlete success beyond the playing field.
The FOCUS project is funded by the European Union and coordinated by NYSA. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Dear Dual Career Friends and Colleagues,
The best of 2025 may revitalize our efforts in support of the dual career of the sportspersons!
International Collaborations
During this year, fruitful partnerships with the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the International Military Sports Council (CISM), and Sport 4 Impact have been consolidated through the participation in important events. EAS attended the EU Sport Forum 2025 in Krakow, Poland, the 2025 EPAS Council of Europe Annual Meeting of the Governing Board and Consultative Committee in Strasbourg (France), the European Parliament consultations for the EU policies in shaping the European Sport Model and the implementation of the ERASMUS+ Programme for 2028-2034 in Brussels (Belgium). During the 2025 EAS Annual Conference in Riga (Latvia), a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO) was signed. Finally, EAS has been recognized as an official partner of the European Week of Sport (EWoS).
Participation in International Conferences
Oral presentations and distribution of the projects’ flyers are deemed crucial to disseminate the aims and progresses of European Dual Career to scholars and policy makers. In addition to its 2025 Annual Conference (University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia), EAS was invited to contribute to the conference of the ERASMUS+Sport SAMEurope project (INSA Lyon, France), the Italian Scientific Society of Movement and Sports (SISMES, Parma, Italy), the Polish University Sport Conference (Warsaw, Poland), and the First International Symposium on Mentoring for High-Performance Student-Athletes (Universidade da Coruña, Spain). Finally, the EAS President, Laura Capranica, received a Recognition Plaque from the Brazilian Association of Dual Career for the EAS commitment to the advancement of dual career at international level.
Virtual EAS Cafè
In 2025, EAS organized five successful virtual cafes with experts and testimonials related to “From talent identification to talent support”, “Sport Innovation: Promoting employability of student-athletes and sport professionals”, “Dual Career Mentors and Mentees getting ready for the next academic year”, “Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the #BeActive programme and the 2025 European Week of Sport (EWoS) ”, “XXI century skills as a bridge between sport and employability”. Other interesting topics will be scheduled in spring, summer, fall, and winter 2026.
Finalized EU-funded ERASMUS+Sport Collaborative Partnership
DC Mentor (101132309), the Collaborative Partnership coordinated by Sports Tech Consulting Education Tourism Organization Trade Limited Company (Turkeye) aimed to Advancing Athlete Employability through Career Mentorship and Education. The project designed “Life and Future Skills Training Modules”, “Life and Future Skills Curriculum for Elite Athletes”, the “Self-Assessment Toolkit”, and the “Athlete Career Mentorship Platform”. Further information is available at https://dcmentor.eu
Smart Start for DC (101133555), the Collaborative Partnership coordinated by Sportsko Uciliste PESG (Croatia) aimed to empower young athletes with XXI century transferable skills. The project developed an online platform for youth athletes and educators to support a balanced sport with education commitment. The platform offers interactive MOOC courses, tools for identifying personal strengths, and engaging, gamified content tailored to young athletes. The platform and project resources are available at ss4dc.eu and more information is accessible by following the project Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556732943039, and the YouTube videos at https://www.youtube.com/@smartstartfordc
TALENT (101090147), the Collaborative Partnership coordinated by the Uciliste Centar Izvrsnosti Splitsko-Dalmatinske Zupanije Ustanova Za Obrazovanje Odraslih (Croatia) developed a cloud-based education for creative sport talents, a New Methodology Handbook in Talent Detection in Sport, and Practical Recommendations Published for Coaches, Parents, Teachers, Sports Clubs and Decision Makers. The findings of the research have been published in scientific journals. The 6-hour TALENT Training Course is designed specifically for schoolteachers to help them recognising and supporting talented kids. Teaching materials are available on the E-STOP platform at https://talent-edu.eu.
Ongoing EU-funded ERASMUS+Sport Collaborative Partnership
DiscoverU (101134052), the Collaborative Partnership coordinated by EUSA (Slovenia) aims to enhance university sport and qualifications of elite athletes for preparing them to the labour market. The project organized Power up Workshops for Elite Athletes, events and webinars and entered its third year. Further information is available at https://discoveru.eusa.eu
Find Me (101134043), the Collaborative Partnership coordinated by the University of Nis aims to structure an evidence-based European user-friendly platform specifically tailored for dual career at university level. The findings of the research have been published in scientific journals. Entering its third year, in January 2026 European universities will be invited to provide relevant information to populate the Find Me platform. Further information will be available at https://findmeproject.eu.
FOCUS: Dual Career Co-Creation (101243801), the Collaborative Partnership coordinated by the NYSA SWEDEN AB aims to establish an innovative and scalable Dual Career framework, ensuring elite football players can successfully transition to professional football while maintaining educational and career opportunities. The project outcomes will encompass practical toolkits, policy guidelines, and a scalable Dual Career model, integrating sport and education to foster athlete success beyond the playing field.
Give Sport a Say (101253838), the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme project coordinated by the Organizzazione Per l’Educazione allo Sport (OPES) aims to inform citizens about the EU decision-making process, the promotion of democracy and human rights in and through sports, as well as the collection of ideas on the future of the EU by integrating some activities into the regular events of the consortium partners.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
2026 EAS Membership
To reassert our support to the dual career sportspersons, we shall renew our determination, passion, and dedication by inspiring new members of the EAS family and by renewing our institutional 2026 EAS membership through the link http://www.dualcareer.eu/membership/.
2026 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship
Researchers up to 40 years of age are invited to participate in the call of papers for the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship (deadline: July 1, 2026). Further information is available at https://www.dualcareer.eu/call-for-papers-bengt-nybelius-scholarship-2025/
2026 EAS Conference: Save the date
Next October 5-7, 2026, the 2026 EAS Annual Conference will be held in in Oulu (Finland). This event is a crucial opportunity to inform on the advancements of dual career policies and provisions at local, regional, and national levels, to share the outcomes of EU-funded projects, to award innovative research by the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship, and to participate to the elections of the EAS President and Executive Board Members for 2027-2030 period (https://www.dualcareer.eu/call-for-papers-bengt-nybelius-scholarship-2025/).
On behalf of the Executive Board of EAS, I wish you and your beloved ones merry, bright, and regenerating holidays.
Prof. Laura Capranica,
EAS President
On December 11–12, 2025 the EAS Board Members Dr. Antonio Figueiredo and dr. Antonio Sánchez Pato actively participated in the I International Symposium on Mentoring for High-Performance Student-Athletes, held on 11–12 December 2025 at the Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education in A Coruña (Spain). This event represented the first international symposium of its kind held in Spain and was organised by the Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR) and the Universidade da Coruña (UDC), funded by the Spanish Higher Sports Council (CSD), and auspiced by the University Network for Dual Career Mentoring (RUMDE). This Network is endorsed by EAS.
The symposium was conceived as an academic and scientific forum dedicated to the analysis, development and dissemination of mentoring models supporting the dual careers of high-performance student-athletes in higher education. It brought together international researchers, university representatives and sport-related stakeholders to exchange knowledge, present research evidence and discuss institutional strategies aimed at improving academic support, mentoring structures and long-term career development for student-athletes across Europe.
Dr. Antonio Figueiredo contributed his recognised international expertise in talent development, dual career transitions and programme evaluation, engaging in comparative analyses of European mentoring models and participating in strategic discussions on improving institutional frameworks and sport policies supporting high-performance student-athletes across different national and organisational contexts.
Dr. Antonio Sánchez Pato contributed through scientific coordination, academic leadership and conceptual input, particularly in relation to the design and consolidation of inter-university mentoring networks for high-performance student-athletes. His participation focused on presenting and discussing research-based evidence derived from structured mentoring initiatives, emphasising educational quality, ethical mentoring practices and the holistic development of student-athletes.
The joint participation of both EAS Board Members ensured strong alignment with the mission and strategic objectives of the EAS, particularly regarding the promotion of evidence-based dual career policies, the advancement of mentoring as a key support mechanism, international academic cooperation and knowledge exchange, and the integration of research, education and sport governance in Europe.
In fact, the symposium contributed to strengthening international research and professional networks, enhancing cooperation between universities and sport organisations, and establishing mentoring as a central component for supporting high-performance student-athletes’ academic success, personal development and long-term career sustainability, fully consistent with the values and priorities of the EAS.
On December 10, 2025, the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) of the European Parliament invited EAS to participate in the key stakeholder consultation in preparation of the 2028-2034 ERASMUS+ programme. Mr. Bogdan Zdrojewski, Member of European Parliament, CULT Vice-President, and Rapporteur, welcomed the participants followed by the contributions of Mr. Vassos Koutsioundas, Chair of the Council Working Party on Sport of the Cyprus Presidency in 2026; Mr. Giorgio Guazzugli-Marini, Head of Unit for Sport, European Commission; and Mr. Stanislas Frossard, EPAS Secretary General, Council of Europe.
The short presentations by some Members of the Parliament and by representatives of the invited stakeholder organisations offered views to further develop the ERASMUS+Sport programme, stressing the need to ensure long-term funding to the ERASMUS+ programme for the sport and physical activity sector. In relation to dual career, the EAS President, Laura Capranica, recognized the crucial position of maintaining dual career among the priorities of the ERASMUS+Sport programme for further promoting a progressive improvement of dual career culture in the Member States. She envisaged the establishment of a European dual career observatory for the collection of harmonized data to monitor the actual dual career situation and to further progress in the full recognition of the right to combine sport and academic education for all the student populations; to support the professional figure of dual career tutor; and to promote the adoption of dual career policies and provisions for the employee-sportspersons in the labour sector.
On the second day, December 11, the EAS President attended the 2026 ERASMUS+Sport Info Day organized by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), in cooperation with the Sport Unit of the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC). This yearly event is crucial to share information on the funding opportunities for collaborative partnerships and capacity building project proposals according to the 2026 ERASMUS+ Programme Guide (https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-programme-guide), as well as to provide network opportunities between potential partners.
After opening the event, Mrs. Sophie Beernaerts, EACEA Director, moderated the high-level round table on the future ERASMUS+ programme with the contribution of Mr. Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport; Mr. Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski, Member of the European Parliament; and Mr. Vassos Koutsioundas from the Cyprus Sport Organisation.
Two plenary sessions addressed the policy priorities and novelties of the 2026 call for projects, respectively. In particular, Mr. Giorgio Guazzugli-Marini, Head of Sport Unit at DG EAC, Mr. Peter Fischer, Mrs. Paola Ottonello and Mr. Stefano Pintus from the Sport Unit illustrated the sport priorities focused primarily on health, innovation, and green environment, whereas Mr. Theo Duivenvoorde, Head of Erasmus Mundus & Sport Unit at EACEA, Mrs. Gael Broze, Mrs. Helena Kamencikova, and Mrs. Izabela Pelczynska provided advice for preparing original proposals and successful partnerships.
Three parallel sessions were organized to address mobility opportunities for sport staff available at National Agencies; application templates, lump sum funding mechanisms and selection processes for successful projects; and the Capacity Building action and its characteristics, respectively.
During the last plenary session, Mr. Giorgio Guazzugli Marini, Mrs. Sacha Beck, Mr. Mads Lyngso Schou from the Sport Unit reported the preliminary results from the Public Consultation to shape the future of sports in Europe “A Strategic Vision for Sport in Europe: Reinforcing the European Sport Model”
Mr. Georg Hausler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport, at DG EAC summarized the main aspects of the day and provided the closing remarks. In the next days, presentations will be available at https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/news-events/events/info-session-erasmus-sport-2026-2025-12-11_en.
On the third day, December 12, EACEA, Mr. Giorgio Guazzugli Marini, Head of the Sport Unit at the European Commission, welcomed the representatives of National Coordinating Bodies, and official partners of the #BeActive campaign (including EAS) participating in the Debrief Seminar. The event aimed to stimulate ideas for future editions based on the reflection on the 10th celebration of the European Week of Sport (EWoS).
Mrs. Violeta Birzniece reported that 15,107,722 participants joined the 79,420 #BeActive events across 39 European countries, highlighting a positive trend with respect to the previous EWoS editions. Mrs. Paola Ottonello reported that Instagram resulted one of the most active social media for sharing content of the events. She also anticipated the plans for 2026 and 2027, with the launch of the #BeActive Winter (February 1-7, 2027) to be officially announced during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Mr. Miguel Romero presented key objectives, priorities, deadlines, submission arrangements, eligibility criteria of the 2026-2027 call, and reminded the participants of the concept of #BeActive Night to be held next September the 26-27, 2026 across Europe. Finally, Mr. Peter Fischer launched an interactive Q&A session to foresee possible opportunities and improvements.
Furthermore, Cypriot and Irish National good practices of the “Move more – Scroll less” 2025 campaign offered insights into successful national-level practices, whereas the first experiences of the new EWoS partners called for strengthening cross-sector collaboration.
Finally, based on the 2025 experience, participants shared their opinions for the implementation of the 2026 EWoS during a group work session. For further information on EWoS and the #BeActive campaign is available at sport.ec.europa.eu/european-week-of-sport
On December 5, 2025, the FIND ME Team met online to discuss the advancement of the project. Funded by the ERASMUS+Sport programme (101134043), the three-year FIND ME project primarily aims to structure an evidence-based European platform specifically tailored for dual career at university level.
During the first two years, the FIND ME Team published scientific evidence on the needs and expectations of sportspersons (athletes, coaches, physical trainers, referees, sports managers, volunteers) as university students and on the implementation of dual career at European higher education institutions according to the student-athletes’ and experts’ views.
After having collected the contact persons of European universities, starting from January 2026 the FIND ME coordinator will send them a FIND ME invitation letter asking to provide relevant data to populate the FIND ME platform for helping student-athletes finding the most suitable study programmes for their dual careers. Stay tuned.
The FIND-ME: University Dual Career Opportunities project [ERASMUS+Sport, 101134043) is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
On November 24, 2025, the 19th EAS Cafè was organized to discuss the relevance of soft skills for the employability of athletes at the end of their sport career and to raise the awareness of the educational platform for young athletes (https://SS4DC.eu) now available thank to the collaborative efforts of the ERASMUS+Sport SmartStart4DC consortium (101133555).
Prof. Cristina Cortis (University of Cassino and Lazio Meridionale, Italy) welcomed around 100 participants and moderated the interesting questions addressed at the endo of the speakers’ presentations.
The Cafè was opened by Mrs. Vedrana Malec who illustrated how her outstanding athletic cross-country skiing helped her improving different soft skills, which are extremely useful for her professional careers, followed by Mr. Sebastian Harry Lloy Algie, who highlighted how soft skills helped him as a basketball athlete in different contexts and a student in physiotherapy, and by Mr. Joseph Tanti who shared his experience as an elite handball athlete in countries with different sport cultures and as a coach of youth teams in Malta. These testimonies stimulated a participated discussion on the important role of soft skills, which are usually lacking in formal educational paths.
To enhance the student-athlete knowledge, competences, and skills, Mr. Renato Vuk, coordinator of the Smart Start for DC, illustrated the SS4DC platform encompassing educational material organized in 10 modules regarding Communication Skills, Social interaction skills, Emotional Intelligence, Listening skills, Leadership, Team-work and Collaboration, Time Management, Desire for Continuous Learning, Critical Thinking, and Respect for Diversity. Whilst the educational course for athletes encompasses videos, text lessons, reflections, and self-assessment tests for each module, the section dedicated to the educators presents manuals and presentations in several languages (e.g., English, Bulgarian, Croatian, Greek, Italian, and Turkish). Furthermore, the platform offers self-assessments for career guidance in sports, labour market, continuing education, and transferable skills. Finally, Mr. Vuk invited the participants to follow the social media of the SS4DC project.
A special thank to mr. Marco Pinchera who translated the speeches in visual-gestural language for the deaf community.
REG. NUMBER: Voluntary Organisation registration VO/1270
PIC NUMBER: 913459865
Email: info@dualcareer.eu