Partners involved in the EmpowHER Volleyball Game Changer (EVGC) project recently convened in Frankfurt, Germany, for a concentrated two-day work meeting. Hosted at the German Volleyball Federation headquarters, this gathering brought together representatives from the National Federations of Albania, Georgia, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, and Sweden, alongside experts from the European Observatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE), the EOC EU Office, and the CEV Development team. The explicit purpose was to rigorously assess the project`s current status and meticulously plan the necessary steps forward, all with the overarching goal of enhancing gender equality within the leadership structures of European volleyball.
Strengthening the Survey, Broadening the Impact
A significant portion of the discussions revolved around the ongoing EVGC Survey, a crucial tool designed to systematically map the current state of gender representation in leadership positions across European volleyball. Participants reviewed the response rates and candidly addressed perceived barriers hindering wider participation. There was clear agreement on the necessity of gathering both comprehensive numerical data (quantitative) and deeper qualitative insights, potentially through targeted interviews, to obtain a truly complete and accurate picture of the prevailing landscape.
Critically, a key takeaway from the Frankfurt assembly is a pronounced call to action: the survey is now officially open and actively seeking participation from all European National Federations. The partners strongly emphasized that broad and diverse participation is not merely supplementary; it is foundational. A dataset that truly represents federations of varying sizes, from different geographical regions and cultural backgrounds, is absolutely vital. It is this depth and breadth of information that will form a robust basis for developing practical, tailored actions and ensuring the project delivers meaningful impact. In the intricate setup of promoting equality, it seems every single federation`s contribution is, quite literally, a game-changer.
From Data to Action: Charting the Future
Looking ahead, the group solidified plans for the analytical phase that will follow data collection. They agreed upon a clear framework to categorize federations based on their current progress and preparedness regarding gender balance in leadership. This strategic segmentation will be instrumental in tailoring the resources developed subsequently, including a practical toolkit and customized recommendations designed to address the specific needs and contexts of different groups of federations. The project also intends to leverage insights gained from examining successful good practices found in other sports sectors or relevant industries, further enriching the guidance provided.
Promoting the Message and Results
Effective dissemination and promotion of the EVGC project and its findings were also high on the agenda. Plans are well underway for the launch of a dedicated EVGC landing page on the official CEV website. This upcoming resource will serve as a central hub, making survey results, practical tools, and supportive materials readily available to National Federations. The partners also strategically identified key opportunities to present the EVGC project and its progress at relevant upcoming events at both European Union and national levels, aiming to maximize visibility and encourage widespread adoption of its principles and tools.
As the EmpowHER Volleyball Game Changer project enters its next critical phase, the recent meeting in Frankfurt undeniably underscored a fundamental principle: realizing substantial and lasting progress in gender equality demands the active collaboration and engagement of the entire European Volleyball community. The call from the partners is unambiguous – the active involvement of every single European National Federation is required to collectively shape a stronger, more equitable, and ultimately more representative future for volleyball across the continent. The collective serve, it seems, is now in motion.
#EuropeanVolleyball
Gideon Holt 
Torin Vale