The two-day transnational meeting of the European Hand in Hand project (8–9 October 2026) has concluded in Sofia. The meeting was a key opportunity for football associations and European partners, including the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU), which hosted the event, and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE), to discuss the next strategic and methodological steps in tackling gender-based violence in sport.

The first part of the meeting focused on operational arrangements and upcoming events. Attention now turns to Reggio Emilia, which will host the Training of Trainers (ToT) on 10 and 11 March 2027. Each football association will select two participants for the training: one directly involved in the project and another with a more technical profile.

Looking further ahead, the Albanian Football Association (FSHF) will host the next in-person transnational meeting in September 2027, while the next online coordination meeting is scheduled for 3 November 2027.

UNIMORE presented the four core activities that make up the project’s approach. Each session will combine practical sports-based educational activities on the field with psychological and social reflection. The four key topics are:

Awareness of gender-based violence: examining its forms, causes and consequences, and challenging the myths that perpetuate it.

Benevolent sexism: understanding how this subtle form of discrimination harms both men and women.

The cycle of violence: exploring the toxic dynamics that trap people in relationships.

The concept of consent: examining the meaning of consent in depth, including its legal aspects.

The project continues to make steady progress, strengthening its network of stakeholders and preparing the official documentation for future events to raise awareness across Europe.