On 9 June 2025, the European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF) and its partners in the Erasmus+ Sport project, + PLUSS (LGBTQI+ Policy and Leadership in Sport and Society), met online to mark the successful conclusion of their development strategies' implementation phase. This period, which lasted from August 2024 to May 2025, has brought exceptional results, significantly advancing inclusivity within sports at the grassroots level.

 

Laying the Foundation: Capacity Building and Collaboration

The essence of these successful strategies emerged from intensive capacity-building initiatives. In October 2023, a session in Budapest focused on membership and advocacy, followed by a meeting in Ljubljana in February 2024 dedicated to events and governance. These workshops empowered six partner grassroots LGBTQI+ sports clubs: Queer Sport Split (Croatia), Out for the Win (Belgium), Atlasz Sport Club (Hungary), Out in Slovenia (Slovenia), Team München (Germany), and Pan Idræt København (Denmark). During the recent online meeting, these clubs proudly shared the primary outcomes of their strategies, emphasising the invaluable support received from selected mentors and an Action Learning facilitator.

 

Exceeding Expectations: Impressive Results and Impact

The impact of the PLUSS project’s grassroots development phase has far exceeded expectations, with most of the established indicators successfully achieved. A standout accomplishment is the remarkable increase in LGBTQI+ individuals participating in sports club activities, with an average rise of 37.25%. This figure vastly surpasses the initial projected change of 5 to 10%, demonstrating the profound reach and effectiveness of the implemented strategies. Furthermore, the project has significantly increased influence and cooperation with mainstream sports organisations, achieving 75 instances of collaboration, three times the anticipated 25.

With these impressive results, the grassroots development phase of the PLUSS project concludes successfully. The vast majority of partners remain committed to continuing the implementation and updating of their development strategies, utilising the new knowledge and competencies acquired throughout the project.

 

Looking Ahead: Publications and EuroGames Lyon 2025

PLUSS has now transitioned into its final phase, focusing on publishing and disseminating its resources. This includes the eagerly anticipated Research Report on the history of the LGBTQIA+ sports movement in Europe, comprehensive Community Guidelines, and a pivotal Policy Paper. These key documents will be showcased during the Conference on LGBTQI+ Rights and Inclusion at EuroGames Lyon 2025 on 23rd July, with further widespread online dissemination to foster a more inclusive sporting landscape across Europe.

 

 

PLUSS, an Erasmus+ project co-funded by the European Commission

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EGLSF webpage! +PLUSS PROJECT - EGLSF.info