The charming city of Louvain-la-Neuve hosted the induction event of the S2ABC European Advanced Course on Sport Administration. From the 20th to the 22nd of September, this was a hub for learning and networking for professionals in the sports administration sector, with a total of 27 participants from the Western Balkans and the European Union, including six participants from Montenegro. The diversity of the attendees highlights the growing significance and broad appeal of the S2ABC course. On the second day, participants from Western Balkan and EU countries attended a series of informative sessions and distinguished presentations that further broadened their understanding of sports administration. The day began with a visit to the monumental European Parliament, where discussions were focused on the European Model of Sport and EU Policies. After the enriching visit to the Parliament, the participants delved into the existing EU funded programs, guided by EACEA representatives. After exploring EU policies and programs, the participants visited the Belgian Olympic Interfederal Committee. The third day initiated a profound exploration into safeguarding values in sports with Tine Vertommen. Géraldine Zeimers illuminated the fundamental essence of equality within sports management. A captivating dialogue led by Thierry Zintz followed, delineating the indispensable role of education in shaping WADA’s anti-doping policies. This event marked a crucial milestone in the S2ABC project, aimed at realizing the full potential of the sports sector through comprehensive training and professional development. Objectives of the event: Introduce new participants: To welcome and introduce the new course participants to the S2ABC community. Outline project goals: To present the project’s objectives and timelines for the upcoming year. Networking: To offer a networking platform for professionals and enthusiasts in the sports sector. Knowledge exchange: To facilitate the exchange of information through expert talks and panel discussions. The general objective of S2ABC project is to support the sport sector in realizing its full potential by enhancing the skills of sport administrators and strengthening their future employability and personal development through innovative training and development activities. Furthermore, it aims to raise the capacity of sport organizations in the Western Balkans. A unique partnership of two organizations from the European Union and five from the Western Balkans, including three National Olympic Committees and three universities, has been formed to develop and deliver two fit-for-purpose European Courses on Sport Administration using a blended learning approach. A total of 30 sport administrators from the Western Balkans (Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia) and the EU will be trained through the S2ABC European Advanced Course on Sport Administration. Participants will also have the opportunity to partake in two in-person national visits at the start and end of their course to share knowledge about different sport systems, enhance understanding of EU institutions and policies, and learn about different countries and cultures. The project is co-funded by the European Union.
