On March 11th and 12th, the official kick-off meeting for the GENDERWISE project took place in Zagreb, Croatia. This gathering brought together partners from Croatia, Portugal, Greece, Finland, Ukraine, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to initiate key aspects of the project and define the roadmap for achieving gender equality in sports through innovative educational tools and digital solutions.
Setting the Foundation for GENDERWISE
The meeting focused on launching the core activities of the project, particularly the development of an innovative web platform, digital MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), and a virtual community to support young female athletes in their dual careers. The GENDERWISE project aims to provide resources that enhance leadership and coaching opportunities while promoting gender inclusivity across sports sectors.
Digital Solutions for Gender Equality in Sports
A significant portion of the discussion revolved around Work Package 3 (WP3), which will lead to the establishment of a web platform featuring:
- A virtual mentorship program for female athletes
- Open-source MOOC courses designed to develop leadership and coaching skills
- AI-driven data analytics to track progress and engagement
- Gamification elements to encourage participation
- Accessibility features for visually and hearing-impaired individuals
This digital approach ensures inclusivity, providing young athletes with essential knowledge and skills while removing geographical barriers.
Defining Key Activities and Objectives
During the two-day event, partners established specific objectives and success indicators for the platform, including:
- Development of 24 MOOC courses with learning assessments
- Implementation of peer-to-peer mentoring for a minimum of 30 young female athletes
- Alpha testing involving 14 athletes from partner organizations
- Multilingual accessibility to enhance outreach across Europe
Additionally, research will be conducted to integrate an optimal API for virtual mentorship sessions, ensuring interactive and high-quality learning experiences.
Strengthening Partnerships and Collaboration
The meeting provided an opportunity for partners to align their roles and responsibilities. Key activities outlined include:
- Defining technical characteristics for web platform development (led by AKNOW and BRAVO)
- Conducting research on API integration for mentoring (all partners involved)
- Development and translation of MOOCs (AKNOW with support from partners)
- Implementation of knowledge assessments and peer-to-peer mentoring (partners excluding PESG and AKNOW)
These collaborative efforts will ensure a structured and efficient execution of the project’s goals.
Looking Ahead
The discussions and outcomes of the kick-off meeting reinforced the importance of gender equality initiatives in sports. With a clear action plan, partners are now focused on executing the next phases of the GENDERWISE project, ensuring its impact reaches young female athletes across Europe.
The BRAVO team is proud to be part of this transformative initiative and remains dedicated to fostering inclusivity and leadership opportunities in sports. Stay tuned for further updates as we continue working towards a more equitable sports community!
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
The GENDERWISE project is a 30-month initiative aligned with the European Commission’s goals for promoting gender equality in sports. Key deliverables of project include six educational modules, 24 MOOC materials, and a mentoring program designed to support 120 young female athletes and 44 mentees directly.
Stay tuned as the GENDERWISE project unfolds, shaping a brighter future for young women in sports through empowerment, education, and opportunity – make the world wonder.