ESC: Supporting European student sport events and educational activities

EUSA Institute is a non-profit non-governmental entity, created for the purposes of developing university sports, organising sports events, carrying out sports activities and projects and providing education in sports. The main aim of EUSA Institute is to support development of university sport in Slovenia and Europe. It carries out professional, technical and organisational tasks aimed at providing education in and through sports, focusing mainly (but not only) at university level, partnering with European University Sports Association (EUSA) and other organisations. Activities support the European Universities Championships, European Universities Games, educational events, social responsibility projects and other existing activities of EUSA, as well as develop new project and opportunities for development and support of university sport. EUSA sports events are attended by over 4000 participants annually, representing over 400 universities all across Europe. EUSA Institute actively strives to take part in local and European projects, involving young people and youth workers, educational institutions, sports organisations and other stakeholders. We share our contributions and project outcomes to other organisations and partners European-wide. The values promoted are fair play, equal opportunities and a sound mind in a sound body, encouraging young people, especially aged 17-30, to actively involve both academic level (pursue the higher education) as well as being active in sports (pursue the sports career or activity); without any discrimination on the basis of gender, ethnic origin, cultural background, sexual orientation, religion or other grounds. The Institute holds various seminars, workshops and other educational events and activities in relation to sports and education, as well as engage in projects and trainings. In pursuit of its purpose, the Institute collaborates with individuals, interest groups, civil society, non-governmental organisations, natural persons and legal entities at local, national and international levels. The scope of its activities range from sports, education, equal opportunities, volunteering, dual career, safeguarding, anti-doping, good governance, mobility and sustainability - to name the key ones. Several of the activities are carried out through project, co-financed by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. Our organisation deals with and engages with youth participants on many levels. Not only are our sports events targeted at higher education students, aged 17-30, but we also have a Student Commission within our organisation, whose Chair is a member of the Executive Committee; we run voluntary programmes annually involving over 50 young international participants at several sports events across Europe, and engage young interns and volunteers in our daily work. The experiences offer practical opportunities for young people working in organisation of international sports events. Besides working closely with EUSA, strategic partnerships with other youth-oriented organisations, such as ENGSO Youth and European Students' Union and project-based also with other organisations on local and international level help us keep focus on youth involvement and participation. Active engagement of volunteers and young people from all over Europe bring additional value and experience to our organisation, especially in terms of bringing in their views, cultural background, ideas, projects and peer-input, as we focus on young people across Europe as our target audience. Daily activities, with opportunities where the volunteers and interns can especially contribute are event management, volunteer coordination, social responsibility projects, media and communication, working towards a society which promotes solidarity, inclusion and equal opportunities. Non-formal education and youth work methods are being implemented in our core work and projects, by our staff who have experiences with youth work themselves, and we also cooperate with other organisations who specialise in working with youth, both on local, as well as European level. Based in Slovenia, the organisation works with other local and national organisations and institutions, yet the reach of EUSA network spans across 47 countries in Europe through the national university sport bodies in Europe (EUSA members), as well as beyond, by cooperating with the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and other organisations. Structurally, the office of the EUSA Institute is managed by the Secretary General, and it has four managers, in the fields of communications & projects, education & development, sport & events, and office administration, and has assistants working in different fields of work. Operationally, the work is mainly carried out from the EUSA Office in the Slovenian capital city Ljubljana. EUSA Institute currently employs 6 people full time, and has additional 3 members of staff working part-time or contract-based. The office is located centrally, in the strict city center of Ljubljana, and is easily accessible. The premises are fully equipped, ensuring own desks, chairs, telephones and computer equipment with high-speed internet for all the employees and volunteers. Part of the work is done in the field abroad, during sports events - the European Universities Championships and Games.