European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO) held its annual Seminar and Forum in the Bulgarian capital Sofia on October 28 and 29, 2016. As a partner organisation, European University Sports Association (EUSA) was represented by its Communications and Projects Manager Mr Andrej Pisl.

The 19th ENGSO Forum was opened on Friday afternoon by ENGSO President Mr Carlos Cardoso who greeted all the participants, ENGSO members, partners, representatives of the Olympic Committees, Sports Organisations and Confederations, Universities, European Commission and other guests.



As Sofia has been proclaimed European Capital of Sport in 2018, a presentation about the plans and already executed projects and initiatives have been presented.



After the introductory part, the EU Seminar started. Mr Yves Le Lostecque, Head of Sport Policy and Programme Unit in the European Commission presented an update of the current EU sport policy and the new call and changes in the Erasmus+ sport programme. Mr Le Lostecque also confirmed the importance of good governance and thanked the organisations who have signed the pledge on good governance, initiated by Commissioner Navracsics in September – among them is also EUSA.



ENGSO Policy Director Ms Heidi Pekkola opened discussion on the EU Sports Work Plan and the position of grassroot sports organisations for the new plan. The Seminar concluded with the presentation of ASPIRE project on social inclusion of refugees by Mrs Orsolya Tolnay, ENGSO Policy and Communication Officer.



The following day, the event continued with the main part – ENGSO Forum. This year, the focus was on good governance and inclusion in sport, with special attention to gender equality.



Several projects were presented, including the projects where EUSA is and has been a partner in - on Gender Equality in Coaching (SCORE) and Sport Plays Mixed, targeting youth and tackling gender equality in sports.



The event concluded by field visit of sports venues and sights of the city. In 2017, ENGSO Forum will be held together with the General Assembly in Paris in the beginning of June.



For more information about ENGSO, please see www.engso.eu and www.youth-sport.net for ENGSO Youth.