NEWS
In the scope of the project A Self-employment Career Option for Elite Athletes: Innovative Sport-focused Entrepreneurship Bootcamp (ELCAMP), on February 22, EAS organised in Rome two focus groups with the aim to evaluate curriculum for entrepreneurship education.
The purpose of the curriculum is to promote entrepreneurship education through the introduction of entrepreneurial competencies in the curriculum of sports sciences.
The following module titles are covered in this curriculum:
- Entrepreneurial Knowledge
- Entrepreneurial Attitude
- Entrepreneurial Management
- Entrepreneurial Social and Opportunity Making Competence
- SportsTech – Sport Technologies
The focus group participants praised the efforts of the project partners to help empower DC athletes to gain new knowledge in the field of sports entrepreneurship and thus help athletes to enter the labor market more easily.
Focus group participants praised the efforts of project partners – The Collaborative Partnership is coordinated by Collective Innovation AS (Norway) and includes the Hogskolen I Molde (Norway), Olimpijski Komite Slovenije Zdruzenje Sportnih Zvez (Slovenia), Fundacion Universitaria San Antonio (UCAM, Spain) Lietuvos Sporto Universitetas (Lithuania), Mobile Adventure Spolka Z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnoscia (Poland), and EAS as Partners – to help DC athletes acquire new skills in sports entrepreneurship, making it easier for athletes to enter the job market.
Focus group participants provided some substantive recommendations for further work, which can be summarized in the following recommendations for improving the curriculum:
- Interactive tasks should include scenarios,
- level of knowledge of the participants should be indicated in the entry level.
- a definition of the terms is suggested (i.e. What is self-consciousness?).
- some modules will require more than 8 hours , therefore is recommended to split two moduls into three).
- The order of the modules could be changed in a logical way
- Because arget groups are different in some modules – they must be defined and coherent.
- to specify the Olympic- Paralympic.
- The introduction is perhaps too lengthy, some references are missing.
- Economic and budgetary issues should be made clearer.
The next and final step of the ELCAMP project will take place on March 29 and 30 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where a piloting seminar and a two-day workshop will be organised, as well as the preparation of the online test.
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 “2023 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 2023 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 2023 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship Winner
The Board of EAS will consider the quality of submitted manuscripts and notify the winner by July 31, 2023. The winner has to summarize her/his work with a 15-minute oral presentation in English at the 2023 Annual EAS Conference in Gaeta, Italy, October 2-4.
EAS will arrange travel, accommodation, and registration of the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship winner.
Application to the 2023 to disseminate Bengt Nybelius Scholarship
To be considered for the 2023 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship applicants before July 1st, 2023 (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
On February 27th the ninth virtual EAS cafè focused on the dual career from the educational and employment perspectives and the human rights of the sportsperson. The event attracted more than 100 participants, including university students from Niš (Serbia). Prof. Antonio Tessitore from the University of Rome Foro Italico moderated the event.
The first speaker, Dr Köle Gjeloshaj (Vice President of the Panathlon Wallonie Brussels, strategic coordinator for the Féderation Wallonie Brussels in the context of the Belgium EU Presidency 2024 in the department of the International Relations, and scientific collaborator of the Université libre de Bruxelles), highlighted the relevance and intriguing nature of the title of the event, particularly in relation to its novelty within the international sport environment.
He focused on the framework and approach of the IOC and other major international sports organizations in relation to the safeguard of human rights, the human resources management, and the dual career support for elite sportspersons (i.e., the IOC/Adecco Athlete365 Career+ programme). In particular, Dr. Gjeloshaj stressed the need to establish a legal framework that should guarantee the rights of elite athletes as workers and/or as students within different parallel and/or transition career trajectories and a lifelong learning perspective. Furthermore, in considering the relevant competencies and skills developed through and during an elite athletic career, the employment sector should further recognize the value of sportspersons as workers, which could also be a concrete action from the corporate social responsibility perspective.
The second speaker, Dr Giovanni Di Cola (Special Adviser at the International Labour Organization, ILO) presented current practices and recommendations in relation to the advancement of decent work in sport. Concrete examples have been presented (i.e., the IOC sustainability strategy; the UEFA sustainability strategy), which highlighted the need to adopt a comprehensive approach to guarantee appropriate and sustainable working policies and conditions in the sport sector. To meet the needs of a complex and rapid development of sport environment, Dr. Di Luca claimed that there is an urgent need for major sports organizations to take actions and accelerate the processes. Major recommendations included the focus on athletes’ working conditions and collective bargaining, the acceleration of sustainability in sport, the reinforcement of dual careers though competencies and skills recognition and development, and the review of traditional models adapting to evolving environments and conditions within the sport sector.
Following the general discussion addressing the main themes discussed during the Cafè, both speakers emphasized the urgent need of a cooperation between organizations for concrete and effective actions accelerating the policy development and implementation processes of the recognition of the rights of elite sportspersons as students and workers,
In closing the event, President Laura Capranica informed that the tenth EAS Cafè will be organized in April/May and that the University of Cassino and Lazio Meridionale will organize the 2023 EAS Conference in Gaeta (Italy). Finally, the President invited young researchers to apply to the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship.
On February 20-22, 2023, for the first time the transnational meeting of the ERASMUS+ Collaborative Partnership “BRAnd Values Alignment through Dual Career (BRAVA-DC, 622824-EPP-1-2020-1-IE-SPO-SCP) was organized in presence. Hosted by the University Roma3 – Italy, and coordinated by the University of Limerick – Ireland, the partners from the University of Ljubljana – Slovenia, the European Platform for Sport Innovation (EPSI) – Belgium, the Elite Sport Academy Aarhus (ESAA) – Denmark, the Human Age Institute Foundation (FHAI) – Italy, the University of Niš – Serbia, the European University Sports Association Institute (EUSA) – Slovenia, and the European Athlete as Student Network – Malta) had the opportunity to share the preliminary findings of the concept mapping for the development of dual career guidelines of the employee-sportspersons (e.g., athletes, coaches, referees, physical trainers, and sports managers).
The concept mapping has been developed based on a literature review and a solid eminence-knowledge encompassing 22 semi-structured interviews, five national focus groups, and a survey with 39 dual career experts validating the clarity of 50 factors aiming to facilitate appropriate Dual Career brand alignment strategies and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies.
In the past months, employee-sportspersons, managers at sport and corporate levels, and dual career experts unanimously graded and sorted the final list of 50 factors. After having agreed that the main targets of the guidelines were the employees, the managers, and the policy makers at national and international levels, the BRAVA-DC Team discussed the methodological approach of the qualitative-quantitative data interpretation of the concept mapping, and analyzed preliminary findings. In March the concept mapping data collection will be completed.
In the next two months another face-to-face meeting will be organized in Slovenia to finalize the guidelines and to create a web-based platform dedicated to the employees, employers, and governing bodies.
More information is available at www.bravadualcareer.eu
On February 2-3, 2022, the Center of Excellence of Split Dalmatia County (Croatia), project leader of the Erasmus+Sport project TALENT (Cloud-based education for creative sport talents), organized a hybrid kickoff meeting in Split (Croatia) welcoming the members of the consortium from the University of Palermo (Italy), the University of Nis (Serbia), the Sarajevo Susret Kultura (Bosnia and Herzegovina), the Kentro Merimnas Oikogeneias Kai Paidiou (Greece), the CSI Center for Social Innovation LTD (Cyprus) and EAS (Malta).
TALENT is focused on the integration of youth talents in their school and sports environments through a program that is pre-operational with respect to an actual dual-career programme. In having an extensive experience in sports and educational international projects, the TALENT consortium aims to create a methodology able to increase the awareness of the identification, the support, and the prevention of drop-out of talented youth through an integrated campaign involving teachers, parents and coaches.
In enjoying the cultural heritage of Split and the Mediterranean cuisine, during the two-day meeting the TALENT consortium discussed the development of a desk analysis and focus groups with coaches and experts in the field of youth sport and education, as well as plans for communication strategies to raise the awareness of the stakeholders of the project. This evidence and eminence knowledge will be a solid base to create an online TALENT platform to support youth talents in and beyond sports.
After COVID-19 pandemic, on January 30, 2023 the European Commission and the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) organized in Brussels the 2023 Erasmus+Sport Info Day to inform on the EU funding opportunities. Around 700 participants attended the event in presence, whereas a large audience participated in an online modality. EAS was represented by Laura Capranica (President), Mojca Doupona (Treasures), Ole Keldorf (Secretary General) and Antonio Figueiredo (ExCom Members).
Mr Yves Le Lostecque, Head of Erasmus Mundus & Sport Unit at EACEA opened the welcome session, followed by Mr Tomas Johansson, Senior Adviser at the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of the Swedish Government, and video messages by Ms Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth and Ms Tiziana Beghin, Member of the European Parliament.
Ms Gael Broze, Head of Erasmus Sport Sector – EACEA; Ms Vanina Milanova, President of the EMCA Assembly and Secretary General of Levski – Bulgaria; Ms Ana Silva, Expert at the Sport Cabinet at the Municipality of Lousada – Portugal; and Mr Luciano Di Fonzo, Deputy Head of Erasmus Mundus & Sport Unit at EACEA participated in the first session dedicated to the Erasmus+ Sport Programme and project implementation chaired by Mr Le Lostecque.
Ms Florencia Van Houdt, Head of Sport Unit at DG EAC of the European Commission chaired the second session was dedicated to Erasmus+ Sport Policy priorities and innovation, with Mr Stefano Pintus, Sport Unit Policy Officer at DG EAC of the European Commission, Ms Laura Capranica, Professor at the University of Rome Foro Italico and President of EAS; Mr Bart Ooijen, Netherlands Permanent Representation to the EU; Mr Thomas Pedersen-Smith, Head of National Associations at the European Hockey Federation; and Ms Cathy Verschoore, Deputy Manager at the Department of Culture, Sports and Leisure at the City of Gent, Belgium. The panelists illustrated successful examples of innovative Erasmus+ projects and presented some advice for future applications.
To facilitate the preparation of ERASMUS+sport and Capacity Building applications, three parallel sessions were organized in the afternoon, followed by the last plenary session on other EU funding opportunities, which was co-chaired by Mr Luciano Di Fonzo and Mr Olivier Smith, Deputy Head of Unit Sport Policy at DG EAC of the European Commission. The panelists Ms Violeta Birzniece, Ms Michael Serneels, Ms Izabela Pelczynska, and Ms Sophie Lemel presented the mobility, pilot projects, preparatory actions, and BeActive awards fundings in the field of sport. Further information on EACEA’s funding opportunities is available at https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/grants/how-get-grant_en
Mr Le Lostecque presented the final remarks and thanked the work of the organizers before officially closing the event, which allowed plenty of opportunities for participants to network during the breaks between the sessions. The presentations on the European and the priorities of the Swedish Presidency in sports, as well as on the preparation of ERASMUS+sport and Capacity Building applications are available at the official website of the event https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/news-events/events/info-session-erasmus-sport-2023-2023-01-30_en.
To address European policy, priorities and funding in the field of sport, and to provide information on the preparation and submission of 2023 proposals for Collaborative Partnerships, The European Commission and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) organize the Erasmus+ Sport Info Day on 30 January 2023 at the Charlemagne Building in Brussels, Belgium, from 9:30 to 18:30 CET. This event is also a tremendous opportunity to network and to share ideas with potential partners. Furthermore, online access will be also available.
Yves Le Losteque (Head of Erasmus Mundus & Sport Unit, EACEA) and Mariya Gabriel (European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth) will welcome the participants. At 10:00 CET, Yves Le Losteque will provide information on the Erasmus+ Sport Programme. In the next session (11:30 CET), Florencia Van Houdt (Head of Sport Unit, DG EAC of the European Commission) will lead a panel on sport and innovation through the Erasmus+ programme, with panelists presenting some best practices, experiences and insights.
After the lunch break (14:30 CET), three parallel sessions will focus on: 1) how to apply for ERASMUS+ fund; 2) how to present a proposal; and 3) how to present a capacity building proposal. Finally (15:30 CET), Luciano Di Fonzo (Deputy Head of Erasmus Mundus & Sport Unit, EACEA) and Olivier Smith (Deputy Head of Unit Sport Policy, DG EAC, European Commission) will inform about other funding opportunities in the field of sport, including mobility, pilot projects, preparatory actions, and EU prizes.
EAS will be present to this event with its President, Secretary, Treasurer, and some Members of the Executive Committee, and ordinary Members.
Further information are available at https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/news-events/events
/info-session-erasmus-sport-2023-2023-01-30_en
Dear Dual Career Friends and Colleagues,
this season is an opportunity to take the time to reflect on recent dual career activities and to renew our good will toward the sportspersons as students or employees.
To continue a virtual discussion of specific dual career issues during the fall and spring terms, EAS organized four virtual café addressing “dual career of high school students”, “dual career service providers”, “dual career of paralympic athletes” and “Dual Career and Entrepreneurship”. I encourage you to get involved in this dialogue by proposing experts of Dual Career topics to be addressed in 2023.
This year the STARTING11 Collaborative Partnership has been finalized with the introduction of the online dual career toolkit for dual career service providers, which encompasses the manage, train, and counsel areas. Furthermore, EAS also contributed to the publications in three peer-review journals on the educational approach of the online multilingual programme for parents of dual-career athletes developed during the EMPATIA project, on the dual career views of European university athletes gathered during the More Than Gold project, and an update on the current state of the dual career research field in Europe investigated during the EdMedia project. The release of the COVID-related restrictions allowed the ongoing BRAVA-DC, EL-CAMP, PARA-LIMITS Dual Career projects to proceed in their activities, and the kick off of the COMPATH project to be organized in presence. Finally, the ERASMUS+ Sport TALENT and Sports as Value projects have been approved and will start in 2023.
During this year, EAS consolidated fruitful partnerships with International Organizations in Sports through the participation in relevant events organized at European level (e.g, Erasmus+ Infoday, 2022 European Sport Forum, Bureau of the “Consultative Committee of EPAS – Council of Europe”). Furthermore, EAS contributed to the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the EPAS Council of Europe, to the 2022 IFS Gymnasiade, to the 2022 EUSA Games, to the 2022 Congress of the European FairPlay Movement, the 2020 BeActive Awards, and the 2022 LSU Sport Forum. Finally, Memorandum of Understanding between EAS and International School Sport Federation, and between EAS and the European FairPlay Movement have been signed.
Thanks to the Organizing Committee of the Univesidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM), the 2022 EAS Annual Conference has been held in Cartagena, Spain, to address “A Holistic Approach to the Dual Career of the Student Athlete”. The participants exchanged knowledge of the status of dual career, shared ideas for future projects and collaborations in and beyond Europe, and confirmed the Board for the 2023-2026 quadrennium. We left Cartagena looking forward to meeting again in Gaeta, Italy, during the 2023 EAS Conference.
The 2023-2026 quadrennium is already on the move with renewed hope, commitment and a spirit of hard work to continue with the various tasks to secure the progression of a European dual career culture. As we enter the New Year, we invite you to renew your 2023 EAS membership through the link http://www.dualcareer.eu/membership/. We sincerely thank you for your ongoing commitment to our community and for reaffirming your determination to work together.
We extend our very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a bright New Year to you and your families.
The EAS Board
EAS Online Cafè was held online December 5, 2022
AGENDA
12:00 Welcome
Prof. Daniele Conte, PhD – University of Rome Foro Italico and Lithuanian Sports University.
12:10 Hakon Ege – ELCAMP Project: A Self-employment Career Option for Athletes: Sports Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
Håkon Ege performed Teakwondo professionally for 12 years. After his sporting career, he started to work as a researcher, lecturer and project manager in different organizations such as universities and non-governmental organizations. He is working on encouraging and empowering individuals and organisations to be more innovative and entrepreneurial in and through sport so that they can design, develop and initiate actions that address socio-economic and planetary needs. In 2018, he launched Collective Innovation, an impact-driven initiative to foster and drive innovation in Norway and Europe.
12:25 Sinan Güler – Giving Back to Sports and Innovation
Sinan Güler is a former national basketball player with a 16-year basketball career, winning the league championships and league cup championships, as well as the 2nd place in the World Cup with the National Team in 2010 and the EuroCup with Galatasaray in 2016. In 2011, he started a social initiative called Güler Legacy with his older brother Muratcan Güler, who is also a former basketball player, and his father Necati Güler. Since 2012, he has been doing important work in the field of startup ecosystem, as an angel investor and mentor. Since 2020 he has been interested in sports technologies & innovation.
12:40 Morten Munch Mindegaard – The ATLas project on Dual Career Entrepreneurship
Dual Career Adviser at the Enterprise and Innovation – Innovation and Entrepreneurship (The Kitchen)
of the University of Aarhus. Aarhus University and The Kitchen is part of the Erasmus+ course AtLAS, which is an entrepreneurial course tailor-made for elite athletes who have the opportunity to test themselves in an entrepreneurial context.
12:55 General discussions and concluding Remarks
On December 1, 2022, Prof. Dr. Diana Rėklaitienė, Rector of the Lithuanian Sports University (Kaunas, Lithuania), Linas Obcarskas, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and Einius Petkus, Director of Olympic Sports at the Lithuanian Olympic Committee welcomed the participants to the LSU Sport Forum-International Scientific Conference 2022. This annual event addressed relevant issues in the area of sport five lectures the followed by panel discussions, especially focusing on good governance, sport integrity, the rights of the sportspersons, challenges of paralympic athletes, and sustainable development of sports. Participation was organized in presence and in streaming.
mber 1, 2022, Prof. Dr. Diana Rėklaitienė, Rector of the Lithuanian Sports University (Kaunas, Lithuania), Linas Obcarskas, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and Einius Petkus, Director of Olympic Sports at the Lithuanian Olympic Committee welcomed the participants to the LSU Sport Forum-International Scientific Conference 2022. This annual event addressed relevant issues in the area of sport five lectures the followed by panel discussions, especially focusing on good governance, sport integrity, the rights of the sportspersons, challenges of paralympic athletes, and sustainable development of sports. Participation was organized in presence and in streaming.
Mr. Mindaugas Spokas, former Olympian and Head of the National Agency for Sport illustrated the main objectives to implement the Lithuanian’s sports policy in the fields of Olympic and Paralympic sports and physical activity. Through its funding opprotunities, the Agency will help sports federations and organisations to introduce and strengthen good governance principles, ensure the athletes’ rights, provide infrastructures and the Centre of Excellence of Sport. Prof. Antanas Skarbalius (Lithuanian Sports University) moderated the panel discussion with Mr. Linas Obcarskas, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, Mr. Einus Petrkus, Director of the Olympic Sports at the Lithuanian Olympic Cmmittee, Mr. Darius Šalūga, President of the Lithuanian Union of Sports Federations, Mr. Gintaras Jasiūnas, President of the Association of Heads of Sports Divisions of Lithuanian Municipalities, Dr. Nerijus Masiulis, President of the Lithuanian Sport for All Association, and Mr. Mindaugas Bilius, President of the Lithuanian Paralympic Committee.
Mr. Steve Menary, journalist and writer expert of sports integrity and governance presented the findings of the Erasmus+ project Combating Match Fixing in Club Football Non-Competitive Matches and the Devil on Data scheme on the identification of match-fixing and suspicious betting in club friendly matches in Europe. Mr. Menary illustrated how friendly soccer games could enter the betting markets due to a lack of regulations and interest from data companies. Mr. Steve Menary joined the second paned discussion on the importance of good governance in preventing match fixing with Mrs. Kornelija Tiesnesytė, Advisor at the Lithuanian Anti-Doping Agency, Mrs. Ramunė Bistrickaitė, Head of the Fair Play Unit of the Lithuanian Football Federation, which was moderated by Prof. Edvinas Eimontas, Head of the Sports Department of the Lithuanian Sports University.
Prof. Laura Capranica, University of Rome Foro Italico and President of EAS, presented the challenges of co-creation of sports values with multiple stakeholders, emphasized the networking opportunities provided by the ERASMUS+ programme to implement gender equality in sports and to develop dual career at academic and labour market levels, and highlighted the need to develop knowledge-base monitoring and evaluations systems. Dr. Aida Gaižauskienė, Lecturer at the Lithuanian Sports University, moderated the panel discussion on dual career and gender equality with Laura Capranica, Mr. Egidijus Genotis, Head of the International Relations and Projects of the Association of Professional Footballers, and Mrs. Austra Skujytė, PhD student of the Lithuanian Sports University, former Olympic athlete and track and field coach.
Offering a multi-dimensional perspective including exercise physiology, biomechanics and ergonomics, Prof. Yves C. Vanlandewijck, Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium) and GIH Stockholm (Sweden) presented the challenges of paralympic athletes and the critical aspects in adapt ports categories to ensure fair competitions. Mr. Edvinas Kriūnas, President of the Lithuanian Deaf Sport Committee, Mr. Kęstutis Skučas, Head of the Lithuanian Sport Federation for Disabled, Mrs. Vaida Pokvytytė, Head of Kaunas Recreation and Sports Club for Disabled joined Prof. Vanlandewijck in the following paned discussion, which was moderated by Prof. Jūratė Požėrienė, Lithuanian Sports University.
The possible problems and solution of sustainable development of sports were presented by Prof. Karin Book, Head of the Sport Management Programme at the Malmö University. With a human geography approach, Prof. Book focused on physical environmental, accessibility, and sustainability of organized and recreational sports and physical activities. The final panel discussion was moderated by Prof. Artūras Simanavičius, Lithuanian Sports University,
Participants of the discussion: Mr. Ignas Gibas, Project Manager of the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee, and Mr. Giedrius Grybauskas, Executive Director of the National Basketball League (NKL).
Video recordings of the 2022 LSU Sport Forum are available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVKX-pqCdFo
REG. NUMBER: Voluntary Organisation registration VO/1270
PIC NUMBER: 913459865
Email: info@dualcareer.eu