Strong projects, unique expertise and structural development
Recap from ENGSO & ENGSO Youth General Assembly 2026
For ENGSO Youth, the Assemblies represented an important moment to showcase the organisation’s growing expertise, ongoing project work, and continued structural development, while reaffirming the importance of youth representation within the European sport movement.
Particular attention was given to the EUYOUSPORT project, presented by Tiago Guilherme, ENGSO Youth Managing Director, which shared preliminary research findings on youth participation, inclusion, and leadership in sport. The discussion emphasised the importance of creating structured and meaningful opportunities for young people to contribute to decision-making processes within sport organisations.
During the Youth Assembly, Christina Bühler, representing the Liechtenstein Olympic Committee, was elected as a new member of the ENGSO Youth Committee, strengthening the representation and diversity of the Youth structure.
The ENGSO Youth Assembly also addressed an important leadership change within the organisation.
Following a structured transition period and several years of dedicated work, the current ENGSO Youth Chair, Alessia de Iulis will step down from her position, effective after 30 June 2026. This gradual change ensures continuity and stability in ENGSO Youth’s planning for the next steps, and ongoing work on youth participation in European sport.
ENGSO Youth Vice-Chair Luca Werner will assume the role of Acting Chair until further notice, ensuring stability and continuity of ongoing activities.
ENGSO Youth expresses its sincere gratitude to Alessia de Iulis for her long-standing commitment and valuable contribution to the organisation, particularly in strengthening youth participation and representation in European sport governance.
Alongside the ENGSO Youth Assembly, participants engaged in a broad programme of discussions focused on the future of sport in Europe and the role of sport organisations in shaping inclusive and sustainable sport systems.
An update from the European Commission was delivered by Giorgio Guazzugli Marini, Head of Sport Unit at DG EAC, who presented current developments shaping EU sport policy, including the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework, Erasmus+, and broader Commission priorities for the sport sector.
The programme also included a session on “Championing Sport in Brussels: EU Advocacy Strategy”, where Nerijus Tabokas (ENGSO) shared practical insights on advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and strengthening the representation of the sport sector within EU institutions.
Gender equality in sport was another central theme of the programme. Moderated by Tarja Krum and Sarah Townsend (ENGSO EWS Committee), the session “Building Gender Equality in Sport: Sharing Programmes, Challenges and Solutions” featured contributions from Claus Farnberger (EPAS, Council of Europe), Anna-Maria Wiesner (Sport Austria), and Hristina Hristova (EUSA). Discussions focused on ongoing initiatives, current challenges, and good practices in advancing equality within sport across Europe. The session also marked the launch of the EWS Mentoring Programme, a new initiative supporting capacity-building for equality professionals in sport.
The programme concluded with the interactive session “Sport, Athletes and Media – Shaping the Future Together”, led by Dr. Zsuzsa Csisztu and Zsófia Csonka, exploring the evolving relationship between athletes, sport, and media through practical exercises and personal experiences.
ENGSO Youth would like to express a special thank you to NVESZ for hosting ENGSO and ENGSO Youth General Assemblies and for their warm hospitality in Budapest.
