From 24 to 28 August, a delegation of the European University Sports Association - EUSA took part in the FISU World Forum in Östersund, Sweden. The 2026 edition focused on the theme Active Body, Healthy Mind: How Impactful Sport Can Be at Universities.

On behalf of the hosts, the participants were welcomed by Lovisa Broms as the Chair of the Organising Committee, and Anders Fallstrom on behalf of the Mid Sweden University. The event was then officially opened by FISU President Leonz Eder and Chair of the Education Committeee Verena Burk.

EUSA was represented at the event by its Vice-President Julia Zlatkova as the Student Representative, Director of Projects and Policy Andrej Pisl, and Education Officer Milia Molinie. Hosted by the Mid Sweden University and the Swedish University Sports Federation, the Forum highlighted the strong connection between the local environment and the region’s winter sports heritage.

Cedric Terret, Ivana Ertlova and Bill Thompson, EUSA Executive Committee Members, also took part in the Forum, representing their national university sports associations and contributed to the discussions and activities throughout the week. Also Student Commission members Wiktor Makowski and Gor Hambarchyan attended the Forum as the Student representatives of their countries.

The programme brought together 160 participants from 44 countries and regions for a series of insightful sessions, interactive panels and working activities centred around three key subthemes: Healthy Campus; University Sport Events through Inclusivity and Good Governance; and Dual Career-friendly Universities.

National and continental university sports federations, together with university representatives, took part in networking and working sessions addressing topics such as risk management. At the same time, student representatives worked in groups on tutored projects linked to the Forum’s main themes. From green sport events to parasports, the projects addressed challenges currently faced across the sports sector and explored ways to create more sustainable, inclusive and healthy sporting environments.

Keynote presentations and roundtable discussions also highlighted the importance of advancing the dual career agenda. On the second day of the Forum, academic experts and student ambassadors discussed the need to support a balanced academic and sporting career worldwide, emphasising that access to dual career opportunities should be recognised as a human right. Among good practice initiatives, also the DiscoverU project, co-funded by the European Union was presented and promoted. Other keynote presentations and panel discussions covered various topics, such as Driving Change Through Inclusivity and Good Governance, and Healthy Campus – the key for Wellbeing and Excellence.

The last day was dedicated to the presentations of student initiatives and projects, developed throughout the week, on different topics. The winning project focused on better integration and inclusion of students with disabilities. Among one of the team projects, three of EUSA Student Commission Members and Chair Julia Zlatkova, Wiktor Makowski, and Gor Hambarchyan took the floor on the topic FISU Sustainability Ambassadors. The winning project, FISU Para-Sport Ambassadors Programme focused on the integration of student athletes with disabilities.

Throughout the week, EUSA had several opportunities to connect with sports stakeholders and student representatives from across the world. During the event Fair, continental and national university sports federations presented their activities and cultural identities through interactive stands, creating an informal space for participants to discover and learn from one another. The Forum also featured an interactive poster session, providing national and continental organisations with an opportunity to present and discuss practices related to safeguarding and sustainability, while gaining a broader overview of current developments across the university sports movement.

EUSA facilitated one of the parallel continental sessions for the national university sports associations from Europe, providing an opportunity to share key updates and developments. Andrej Pisl presented the calendar of upcoming events, as well as ongoing and future projects, while Milia Molinie presented findings from a State of Play survey, highlighting the diversity of organised university sport competitions and examining participation through a gender perspective.

Beyond the formal programme, sports and cultural activities created further opportunities for informal dialogue and knowledge sharing. Participants left the Forum with new perspectives, references and practical resources to support the development of healthy, safe and inclusive university sport competitions and events. The diversity of the delegations reflected the many realities of the university sports movement. At the same time, the Forum provided a valuable opportunity for stakeholders from different backgrounds to come together around shared goals and a common commitment to the positive impact of sport at universities.

EUSA is grateful for the opportunity to participate in and contribute to this valuable international platform, which provided meaningful exchanges and new perspectives for the continued development of the university sports movement.

More information: https://ostersund2026forum.fisu.net