Earlier this week, partners involved in the EmpowHER Volleyball Game Changer (EVGC) project convened for a focused two-day meeting in Frankfurt, Germany. The event was hosted at the headquarters of the German Volleyball Federation.
Representatives from National Federations across Albania, Georgia, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, and Sweden attended, alongside participants from the European Observatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE), the EOC EU Office, and the CEV Development team. The gathering provided an opportunity to evaluate the project`s progress and determine the next steps.
Strengthening the Survey, Broadening the Impact
A key agenda item was the ongoing EVGC Survey, which aims to map the current state of gender representation within volleyball leadership structures. Partners reviewed the response status, discussed challenges limiting participation, and agreed on the need for both quantitative (numerical) and qualitative (descriptive) data, potentially including interviews, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the landscape.
Crucially, the survey is now open to all European National Federations. Wider participation is vital; the more diverse and representative the responses are – reflecting federations of different sizes, regions, and cultural backgrounds – the stronger the foundation will be for developing targeted actions and achieving real impact. Every voice is important in building a more inclusive future for Volleyball.
From Data to Action
Partners also established a clear analysis framework. This framework will categorize federations based on their readiness level concerning gender equality in leadership. This approach will help in tailoring future resources, including developing a toolkit and providing customized recommendations. Comparing findings with successful practices from other sectors will further enhance the analysis and support meaningful progress across Europe.
Promoting the Project and its Results
Discussions also covered effective strategies for communicating and promoting the project`s outcomes. A dedicated EVGC landing page is planned for the CEV website, which will feature the survey results, useful tools, and resources to support National Federations. Partners also identified opportunities to present the project at upcoming events at both EU and national levels.
As the EVGC project moves into its next phase, the meeting in Frankfurt reinforced a crucial message: achieving genuine change requires the active involvement of the entire European Volleyball community. The participation of every federation will contribute significantly to shaping a stronger, more equitable sport for the future!
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood