The Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) provides a platform for intergovernmental sports co-operation between the public authorities of its member states. It also encourages dialogue between public authorities, sports federations and NGOs. This contributes to better governance, with the aim of making sport more ethical, more inclusive and safer.

Back The Pool of International Experts on Safe Sport held its 5th annual meeting

The Pool of International Experts on Safe Sport held its 5th annual meeting

The Council of Europe’s Pool of International Experts on Safe Sport held its fifth annual meeting on 11 and 12 June 2026 in Strasbourg, under the Monaco Presidency of the Committee of Ministers.

The meeting revolved around the preparation of the upcoming 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport, to be held in Monaco on 3-4 November 2026 under the pivotal theme “Safer and healthier sports environments for all children”. The experts also discussed the national implementation of the “Start to Talk” project in Cyprus, reviewed the newly updated training materials, and examined the Council of Europe’s new HELP course module on child safeguarding in sports, alongside a comprehensive research compilation on securing safe and healthy sport environments for all children.

The experts exchanged views on future priorities for protecting young athletes and providing them with access to safe and healthy environments. Discussions focused on establishing minimal safeguarding standards for children, standardising data collection to effectively measure risk, and deploying protection tools from grassroots to competition sports level.

A major highlight of the meeting was the integration of the youth perspective, building on the momentum of the “Youth Perspective for Safe and Healthy Sport” event which brought together 49 young people in Strasbourg on 26 May. During this plenary session, two youth delegates shared their experiences, ideas, and recommendations directly with the Pool members. This input will play a key role in the ongoing preparatory work and the development of the ministerial resolution.

The pool of experts paid tribute to Mathilde Grenet, who recently passed away and will forever be remembered as an exceptional and invaluable member.

As a unique multidisciplinary platform bringing together policymakers, researchers, practitioners and specialists, the Pool serves as an advisory hub and a unique network to follow up on the implementation of safeguarding policies and to combat all forms of violence against children in sport. Its work is paramount, providing the crucial mechanism needed to translate European safeguarding standards into concrete protection on the ground.

Strasbourg, France 11-12 June 2026
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WHY WAS EPAS SET UP?

EPAS was set up in 2007 to give fresh momentum to international co-operation in sports policies; to address the current challenges facing sport; and to ensure that sport thrives and is governed to meet high standards (e.g. in the areas of integrity, good governance and fair play).

 

WHAT DOES EPAS DO?

  • Develops policies (e.g. on safe sport) and international standards, such as the European Sports Charter, and supports their implementation.
  • Facilitates multi-stakeholder dialogue by offering platforms for discussion and helps with capacity building and the exchange of best practices.
  • Organises Conferences of Ministers responsible for Sport to discuss and decide on important sport-related issues.
  • Organises thematic conferences and seminars on various subjects concerning sport.
  • Publishes handbooks, guidelines and research papers on sport and sport policy making.

WHICH STANDARDS GUIDE EPAS’ WORK?

EPAS bases its work on Council of Europe sport standards such as the European Sports Charter, the Anti-Doping Convention, the Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions (Macolin Convention) and the Convention on an Integrated Safety, Security and Service Approach at Football Matches and Other Sports Events (Saint-Denis Convention).

  Did you know? 

EPAS aims to promote the development of any sport whose benefits are wide-reaching. It develops policies and standards, monitors them and helps with capacity-building and the exchange of best practices.

Different recommendations initially prepared by EPAS have been adopted by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. Recommendations such as the European Sports Charter are regularly monitored via support and follow-up visits in member states. 

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