From the sidelines to the spotlight: girls leading the game

2026-07-22

Across Europe, girls and women participate in sports at much lower rates than boys and men. This disparity leads to missed opportunities for empowerment, physical and mental health improvement, and development. Gender imbalance in sports extends to leadership and decision-making roles, limiting female role models on the field and beyond. This lack of representation deprives girls of inspiration and society of recognising women's full potential. Breaking barriers in sports empowers girls with confidence to lead, challenge stereotypes, and showcase their abilities. When communities see girls excelling in sports leadership, they begin to appreciate their broader contributions to society. Our solution Through the organisation of inclusive youth-led sports events, we aim to challenge stereotypes and combat gender discrimination by empowering female youth leaders to take the lead. These events provide a valuable opportunity for females to engage in decision-making roles within the sports context. By promoting inclusivity through sports, we will raise awareness about gender equality, helping girls and young women gain essential leadership skills while learning how to advocate for themselves and others. General objective By organising four sustainable, youth-led events across four European countries, girls and young women will develop the skills to challenge gender discrimination, foster female leadership, and create fun, safe, and inclusive sports events. This will result in: - A rise in female role models within sports and society - Improved awareness among organisations, coaches, volunteers, and youth about the importance of promoting girls’ participation and the inclusion of girls and young women through sports.

Netherlands, Spain, Czechia, Denmark

2026-02-01