On 28 November 2025, partners from across Europe officially launched EOLHSS, the European Observatory on LGBTIQ+ Hate Speech in Sport, during an online kick-off meeting. Coordinated by the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF), the project unites universities, NGOs, and sport organisations dedicated to fostering safer and more inclusive grassroots sports environments. 

Funded by the Erasmus+ Sport Programme, this three-year project focuses on enhancing awareness of hate speech against LGBTIQ+ individuals in sports. It aims to create practical tools, establish standards, and implement awareness-raising activities to prevent such speech.

Project Focus and Objectives

Hate speech continues to be one of the most prevalent and damaging forms of discrimination in sports. EOLHSS combats this issue by focusing on: collecting accurate data on the extent and nature of anti-LGBTIQ+ hate speech in sports; raising awareness among sports organisations and local communities; and creating practical strategies to foster inclusive sporting environments.

During the initial meeting, partners reviewed the overall project framework and the five Work Packages: data gathering, awareness campaigns, intervention development, dissemination, and management. They also discussed the next steps to bring the project to life and laid the groundwork for its visual identity.

European Partnership

The EOLHSS consortium brings together complementary expertise from three different European countries:

  • EGLSF – European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation
  • Université Lyon 1 Claude Bernard (France)
  • VIDC – Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation (Austria)
  • Sportieq (Belgium)
  • CSIT – International Workers and Amateurs in Sports Confederation (Austria)

Partners discussed the best ways to unify skills and knowledge, clarify roles, responsibilities, and timelines, and establish a foundation for coordinated cooperation throughout the 36-month project.

Next Steps

Over the coming months, the partnership will begin research and data collection activities while preparing awareness-raising actions and tools to support sport organisations at the grassroots level.

Want to know more about the project?
Visit the dedicated EOLHSS project page.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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