The 2026 European Sport Platform, organised by the European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO), took place in Split, Croatia, from 15 to 17 October 2026.

Hosted by the Croatian Olympic Committee under the theme “Beyond Performance: The True Impact of Sport”, the 2026 European Sport Platform brought together European sports stakeholders to explore sport’s role in promoting inclusion, equality, empowerment and resilient communities. The European University Sports Association (EUSA) was represented by Franciska Coko, EUSA Student Commission Member.

The first day of the 2026 European Sport Platform focused on the resilience of sports clubs and their ability to navigate crises. Moderated by ENGSO Project Coordinator Rachel May, the opening session featured the SURE project, with contributions from Andre Urban (OPES Italia), Shadde Fessaha (Triple Threat), Maja Poljak (Croatian Olympic Committee) and Dina Koren (SOS Children’s Village Lekenik). Discussions explored crisis management, community engagement and partnerships, highlighting the importance of cooperation and support in helping sports clubs adapt and recover.

Day two focused on women in sport, covering health, dual careers and inclusive sporting events. Dr Davorka Herman Mahecic opened with a presentation on women’s health and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), followed by a panel moderated by Mia Bacic, featuring former volleyball player Maja Poljak and Olympic gold medallist Barbara Dzinovic, among others, who discussed career transitions beyond competitive sport.

The ENGSO EWS Committee and the ReWSE project team also explored key factors in women’s sporting events, including visibility, participation, leadership and inclusion. Lovisa Broms (ENGSO) reflected on a decade of partnerships and achievements.

The day concluded with parallel sessions on inclusive sports policies, youth participation in sport governance and equality, highlighting the importance of making sport more accessible and inclusive for all.

The programme further addressed inclusive sports policies and meaningful youth participation in sport governance, with the final conference of the EUYouSport project, implemented in collaboration with ENGSO Youth, also taking place during the European Sport Platform. Through interactive workshops and discussions, participants explored how young people can play a more active role in decision-making processes and how sports organisations can better respond to the diverse experiences and needs of their communities.

The final day focused on empowerment, volunteering and funding in grassroots sport. Contributions from Dr Tanja Bilic Brenner, Ivana Anicic and Dr Niki Koutrou highlighted the importance of volunteers in the day-to-day functioning of sports organisations, as well as the need to support volunteer development and recognise their contribution. Discussions also explored how funding mechanisms can contribute to the development of sport and its wider social impact.

EUSA’s participation in the European Sport Platform reflects the Association’s continued engagement with its European partners and its commitment to promoting inclusive, accessible and value-driven sport. The exchange of knowledge and experiences across the European sports movement contributes to strengthening cooperation and addressing shared challenges in the development of sport.

EUSA thanks ENGSO and the Croatian Olympic Committee for organising the event and providing a valuable opportunity for dialogue, networking and cooperation among European sports organisations.

For more information about the European Sport Platform 2026, please see: https://engso.eu/2026-european-sport-platform/