The Sports Institute of Three Campuses is a partner in the Genderwise project, which began in January 2025. The project's goal is to promote gender equality in sports and improve educational opportunities for young female athletes.
Between January and May, an interview study was conducted in six countries (Finland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, and Ukraine). The study revealed that young female athletes face several barriers in building a career in sports, such as gender stereotypes, unequal access to resources, psychological pressure, and a lack of female role models. Many are interested in leadership and coaching, but practical opportunities are limited. Progress is hindered by cultural norms and unclear career paths—most have not had the chance to take on leadership roles, and respondents emphasized the need for mentoring, training, and female role models. Experts working in sports were also interviewed to support the knowledge base. Their insights indicate progress in gender equality but also highlight clear shortcomings, such as underrepresentation of women in decision-making and technical roles, and non-linear career development. While gender equality policies exist, their implementation is weak, and structural support is needed.
The first output of the project is a recommendation report that highlights these issues and the need for mentoring and training programs, which also have targeted funding. In the next phase of the Genderwise project, an open-access interactive training program will be developed on a digital platform to address these needs.