Last week, Frankfurt, Germany, became the European hub of Sport for All as over 120 participants from 33 countries came together for the TAFISA European Sport for All Forum. Organized by TAFISA with the support of the State of Hesse and the City of Frankfurt, the event brought together a diverse range of voices and perspectives around the topic of "Shaping the future of Sport for All in Europe".
Throughout the week, Frankfurt welcomed representatives from international and national institutions, international sport federations, NGOs, universities, key stakeholders, and passionate advocates of Sport for All. The Forum served as a platform for connecting, meaningful exchanges, collaboration, and working together on current issues in Sport for All in Europe. Participants explored ways to adapt to an evolving landscape and strengthen collective efforts, proving that together, we can achieve more.
Setting the Stage for Collaboration
The Forum was officially opened on 26 March by TAFISA President Wolfgang Baumann, followed by welcoming addresses from City of Frankfurt Councillor Ina Hauck, State of Hesse Sport Commissioner Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff, and DOSB Board Member and Head of Sport Development Michaela Röhrbein.
The TAFISA President set the tone for the event: “The Forum represents a unique platform bringing all levels of action and governance together for collective action,” he emphasized. “I believe all of us here agree that Sport for All can have an even greater positive impact on the world. And in the troubled times we are currently in, I would say that this is no longer a luxury; we need Sport for All to help and contribute to a better world.”
Under the theme “Shaping the Future of Sport for All in Europe,” the forum welcomed a diverse lineup of speakers and panelists who shared insights on shaping a more inclusive and active society. Peter Fischer, representing the European Commission, outlined the EU’s key policy priorities for the coming years, focusing on:
These priorities will continue to influence Erasmus+ projects, which remain crucial to organizations driving Sport for All initiatives across Europe.
Bringing the discussion back to the heart of the movement, TAFISA Secretary General Jean-François Laurent closed the opening ceremony with a compelling presentation on the current priorities for Sport for All. He highlighted three key pillars—impact, collective action, and capacity building—as essential to fostering a stronger, more inclusive future. Through innovation, strategic frameworks, and advocacy, organizations can drive meaningful change, ensuring that Sport for All continues to thrive at all levels.
The first plenary session of the day, “Beyond the Game: Coaching Girls to Break Barriers and Stereotypes in Sport for All,” opened with a keynote talk by the Head of Strategic Communications at the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport, Abby Burton. She addressed the prevailing attitudes of sport organizations toward gender, the challenges faced in fostering inclusivity, and the urgent need for safe and inclusive coaching to support girls in sports.
Following her presentation, TAFISA Project Manager Osazemen Aghedo moderated a dynamic panel discussion featuring speakers from diverse organizations:
The panelists shared insights into the state of gender equality in sport across Europe, successful strategies for safe, inclusive, and positive coaching, and the importance of prioritizing these approaches to enhance girls’ retention in sports.
This panel discussion was followed by another on “Health Comes First: The New Role of Sports Clubs,” which explored how sports clubs are evolving into key players in public health promotion. Moderated by TAFISA Project Impact Manager Rachel Mait, the session examined how clubs can go beyond competition and recreation to foster well-being, inclusivity, and social connections.
KU Leuven Professor Jan Seghers set the stage with insights on how clubs can balance traditional sporting objectives with broader health missions. A panel of experts from academia and national sports organizations then delved into strategies for integrating health promotion, securing sustainable funding, and strengthening cross-sector collaboration.
Panelists included:
The discussion underscored the urgent need for sports clubs to embrace a holistic role in community well-being, working across sectors to enhance accessibility, secure resources, and influence policy support for long-term sustainability.
The final panel discussion of the day, “Empowering Inclusive Communities through Sport for All: Capacity-Building for Impactful Change,” featured a contribution from Olympism365 Associate Director Ollie Dudfield, who emphasized the importance of capacity building and measuring impact in Sport for All. Moderated by TAFISA Senior Manager Game Mothibi, the discussion explored the role of certification platforms in strengthening capacity building, the metrics and benchmarks for sustainable development, the design of truly inclusive Sport for All initiatives, and effective strategies to measure long-term impact.
Following the panel, three parallel strategic workshops provided participants with a platform to shape the future of Sport for All in Europe. Each session aligned with the forum’s overarching theme and focused on:
These interactive and practical discussions allowed participants to rotate through the workshops in small groups, ensuring everyone had the opportunity to contribute ideas and collaborate on key challenges. As the European Commission develops its next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034), participants in the Sport for All Policy and Advocacy in Europe workshop explored strategies to secure Sport for All’s place in the European budget. Discussions emphasized the importance of demonstrating its impact across various sectors of society. In the Structure of TAFISA in Europe workshop, participants shared their perspectives on the TAFISA Europe regional body, discussing its structure, role, and expectations. Meanwhile, the Challenges, Opportunities, Needs, and Priorities of Sport for All workshop featured engaging group discussions, highlighting key takeaways such as the need for a clear definition of Sport for All, TAFISA’s potential role in bridging grassroots initiatives and EU policies, and the importance of stronger media engagement in promoting the movement.
The day concluded with The Marketplace: Brainstorm and Connect to Develop Erasmus+ Project Ideas, led by TAFISA Board Member Jacqueline Kronenburg (Knowledge Centre for Sport and Physical Activity Netherlands). The session engaged participants in a matchmaking exercise to facilitate networking and foster potential collaborations across Europe to advance grassroots sports through knowledge exchange and mobility grants. By the end of the event, several promising partnerships had emerged, with three standout project ideas receiving a friendly accolade for their innovative and impactful approaches.
Through a combination of thought-provoking plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and collaborative networking, the day’s discussions reinforced the importance of gender equity, health promotion, and capacity building in Sport for All. The need for collective action, stronger advocacy, and innovative partnerships was a recurring theme, setting the stage for deeper engagement and impactful collaborations in the days ahead.
On 27 March, the morning began with a refreshing walk through the Frankfurter Stadtwald. Just a short distance from the Landessportbund, the forest provided an ideal setting for participants to enjoy a scenic stroll, connect with nature, and start the day feeling energized. This moment quickly became a highlight, offering a peaceful yet invigorating way to prepare for the discussions ahead.
The day’s first session focused on youth engagement and participation, emphasizing the importance of empowering young people to shape the future of Sport for All in Europe. Board Member for Youth in the DOSB and representative of Deutsche Sportjugend, Leon Reis, opened the discussion by sharing best practices for engaging young people in sports organizations. Moderated by TAFISA Project Coordinator Helena Moya Bataller, the panel explored key barriers to youth involvement in sports and innovative strategies to foster greater participation. A central theme emerged: the need for young voices to be actively involved in decision-making processes within Sport for All.
The panel featured:
Following the panel, Helena Moya Bataller introduced the REACH project (Reshaping Engagement, Advocacy, and Capacity Building for Youth in Sport for All). The project aims to empower young people by strengthening their engagement, advocacy, and leadership skills in grassroots sports. With a focus on inclusivity and accessibility, REACH seeks to bridge gaps in youth participation, ensuring that young leaders have the tools and opportunities to drive meaningful and sustainable change in Sport for All.
Participants had a chance to not only discuss but to also engage in physical activity, as EFDF Sport 4 All Advisor led an active break session featuring freestyle flying discs. The exercise offered a fun and interactive way to reset and recharge before moving on to the final discussions of the Forum.
As the event neared its conclusion, participants were introduced to two upcoming TAFISA flagship events. Martin Chlumsky from Sokol presented the TAFISA World Congress, set to take place in Prague, Czech Republic, from 13-17 May 2026. Hosted by the historic Sokol organization, this Congress promises to be an unmissable gathering in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Learn more about the Congress here...
Following this, Pat Quigley and Tracy Mahedy from the Limerick Sports Partnership introduced the TAFISA European Sport for All Games 2026. With Limerick’s strong sporting heritage and deep-rooted tradition of games, the city offers the perfect backdrop for this celebration of Sport for All. Learn more about the Games here...
The Closing Panel Session provided an opportunity to reflect on key themes and takeaways from the interactive workshops and the Forum at large. Bridging the gap between grassroots initiatives and governmental levels to ensure that local efforts translate into broader policy impact was a major focus point. Additionally, the discussion highlighted the importance of supporting TAFISA members in developing and implementing Sport for All programs while strengthening advocacy and awareness within the movement. Panelists explored practical strategies for organizations to connect with the EU, including engaging with local government, identifying key stakeholders, and leveraging published white papers to support their initiatives.
The Closing Panel featured:
In his closing remarks, TAFISA Vice President Europe Dionysios Karakasis (Greece Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sport/General Secretariat of Sports) expressed gratitude to all participants for their engagement and contributions. He concluded with an invitation to the upcoming TAFISA World Congress in Prague and the European Sport for All Games in Limerick—two events that promise further opportunities to connect, collaborate, and advance the Sport for All movement.
We hope participants left feeling inspired and motivated to drive change within the Sport for All sector. With the knowledge and practical tools gained throughout the event, we trust they are ready to build bridges, not barriers, because collaboration is key to lasting impact. TAFISA remains committed to leading the movement and driving positive change in the global Sport for All community.
TAFISA sincerely appreciates the supporters, partners, stakeholders, and participants who joined us in Frankfurt and contributed to the success of the Forum. Your engagement and insights made this event truly special. A special thank you to the State of Hesse and the City of Frankfurt for their invaluable support in bringing this Forum to life, and Landesportbund Hessen for welcoming us all to their premises.
Stay connected—more details on our upcoming events are coming soon!
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