About the project

Safeguarding women in sport across Europe

HERIZON is a European cooperation project co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme.
 Its mission is to create safer, more inclusive sport environments where women and girls can participate without fear of discrimination, harassment, or abuse.

We believe that sport should empower – not endanger.
 Safety, dignity, and equality are not optional values; they are fundamental rights.

0 %

of members of sports federations in Europe are women and girls, highlighting a persistent gender gap in organized sport.

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Nearly half of girls drop out of sport during adolescence, often due to unsafe environments, lack of confidence, and negative experiences.

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1 in 3 women in the EU experience violence in their lifetime a broad societal context that also impacts sport safety.

What We Aim to Achieve

HERIZON aims to:

  • Strengthen safeguarding systems in sport organisations
  • Equip coaches and staff with practical safeguarding knowledge
  • Raise awareness among young athletes about their rights and boundaries
  • Reduce gender-based violence and discrimination in sport
  • Promote safe, respectful, and inclusive sport cultures
  • Foster international cooperation and knowledge exchange

HERIZON’s work is:

  • Preventive – focusing on education and awareness
  • Practical – offering tools, guidelines, and real-life examples
  • Participatory – involving young women and grassroots actors
  • European – sharing experiences across countries and systems

Activities include training sessions, workshops, pilot actions, awareness campaigns, and international sporting events.

Women and girls are disproportionately exposed to:

  • harassment and abuse
  • power imbalances
  • discrimination and exclusion
  • lack of reporting mechanisms

Many cases remain unreported due to fear, stigma, or lack of trust.

Safeguarding is not only about reacting to incidents – it is about creating environments where abuse cannot thrive

In HERIZON, safeguarding means:

  • protecting athletes from physical, emotional, and sexual harm
  • ensuring clear codes of conduct and reporting pathways
  • promoting respectful coach–athlete relationships
  • building organisational responsibility and accountability

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility – of organisations, staff, and communities.

4 Countries Involved

Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Belgium, Italy 

5 Project Partners

Sport, accessibility & academic experts 

30-Month Duration

November 2025 – October 2027

Why HERIZON Matters

A safe environment is the foundation of:

  • participation
  • performance
  • confidence
  • long-term engagement in sport

     

HERIZON works so that women do not have to choose between safety and sport.

Because empowering women in sport starts with safeguarding.