Council of Europe’s Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) in Strasbourg hosted a series of events and meetings on March 5 and 6, focusing on advancing gender equality and launching new initiatives to support women’s health and participation across all levels of sport. Events were held in hybrid mode - in person and online.

Launching the Active and Equal project

The proceedings began on the afternoon of March 5 with the launch of the "Active and Equal: Women’s Health in Sport across the Generations" joint project between the European Union and the Council of Europe. Spanning from 2026 to 2027, this initiative aims to embed women’s specific health needs, including menstruation, pregnancy and menopause into sports policy and coaching to prevent dropout and increase retention. The project builds on previous "All In" and "All in Plus" projects to improve gender balance in sports.

The event featured insights from elite athletes, medical researchers and high-level sports administrators. Discussions focused on breaking taboos surrounding female physiology and the necessity of data-driven training toolkits for coaches. By addressing these next frontier health barriers, the project seeks to ensure that sports environments are truly inclusive throughout a woman's entire career.

More information about the project: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/active-and-equal 

Breakfast Roundtable: Breaking Barriers to Participation

On the morning of March 6, the traditional annual Breakfast Roundtable took place to mark International Women's Day. The main aim of the initiative is to raise awareness on women and girls’ participation in sport. Building on the findings of the All in Plus project, which noted that girls make up only 35% of sports club members under 18, the roundtable addressed the structural and social reasons behind high dropout rates. The sessions grouped together gender equality rapporteurs, communications experts, and inclusion advocates who highlighted:
- Data & research: Analysing why participation rates drop significantly as girls transition into adulthood.
- Good practices: Showcasing inclusive coaching for women with disabilities and the role of media in framing positive narratives.
- Policy solutions: A panel discussion on removing physical and psychological barriers to access for grassroots and elite athletes alike.

More information about the event: https://www.coe.int/en/web/sport/breakfast-roundtable-2026 

EPAS Consultative Committee Bureau Meeting

Following the roundtable, the Bureau members of the EPAS Consultative Committee convened on 6 March. Having an elected member in the bureau, EUSA contributed to the internal planning and strategic alignment of EPAS’s upcoming activities. The meeting reviewed the past and planned activities, ensuring that the themes of accessibility and equality remain at the forefront of the Council of Europe’s sporting agenda. 

More information about the EPAS Consultative Committee and Bureau:
https://www.coe.int/en/web/sport/epas-consultative-committee 

European University Sports Association (EUSA) was represented at the events by Andrej Pisl, Director of Projects & Policy. EUSA remains committed to collaborating with international partners to foster a sporting culture where women and girls can thrive, both on and off the field.