Consortium gathers in Montenegro for the project’s first Transnational Project Meeting

On 23–24 June 2026, partners of the Erasmus+ Sport project YOULEAD – Leading the Game: Developing Pathways for Gender-Balanced Youth Leaders in Sports Governance gathered in Podgorica, Montenegro, for the project’s first Transnational Project Meeting.

Hosted by the University of Montenegro and the Balkan Institute for Science and Innovation, the two-day meeting brought together representatives of the consortium to review project progress, strengthen collaboration and advance the research activities that form the foundation of the project.

Focusing on youth participation in sports governance

A central topic of the meeting was the participation of young people under the age of 30 in sports governance, with particular attention given to achieving greater gender balance in leadership and decision-making positions.

Partners discussed the current situation across the participating countries, exchanged experiences and explored the common challenges that continue to limit young people’s involvement in governance structures within sport organisations.

These discussions highlighted the importance of creating practical pathways that enable young people not only to participate in sport but also to contribute to the decisions that shape its future.

Sharing research from across Europe

An important milestone of the meeting was the presentation of research findings collected from eight participating countries. Partners shared the first results of their national analyses, including data gathered through the assessment of five different sports organisations and federations.

The meeting provided an opportunity to compare national perspectives, identify common trends and discuss differences between governance models across Europe. This collaborative exchange will contribute to a comprehensive international analysis that reflects the current state of youth participation in sport governance.

The collected data will now be consolidated, analysed and prepared for publication as one of the project’s key research outputs. The findings will also support the development of the next phases of the project, including educational resources, practical tools and recommendations for sports organisations.

Strengthening cooperation across the consortium

Alongside the research activities, partners reviewed the progress of project management, communication and dissemination activities, while coordinating the next steps for the upcoming work packages.

The meeting reaffirmed the consortium’s shared commitment to promoting more inclusive, representative and youth-friendly governance structures across the European sport sector. By bringing together expertise from different countries and organisations, YOULEAD continues to build a strong foundation for meaningful and sustainable change.

Looking ahead

Following the successful meeting in Podgorica, partners will continue analysing the research findings and transforming the evidence gathered into practical resources that will support sports organisations in becoming more open to young leaders.

Through collaboration, research and innovation, YOULEAD is steadily progressing towards its goal of creating more inclusive pathways for young people to participate in decision-making and leadership within sport.