During the EMCA General Assembly 2026, held in Sant Cugat, Spain, the DiaPS – Diabetes Digital Peer Support project was presented through a series of networking activities with representatives of multisport organisations, partners, and stakeholders from across Europe.

In this dynamic and collaborative environment, the project team introduced the DiaPS application, which is currently in its final stage of development. Through informal discussions and one-on-one exchanges, participants had the opportunity to learn more about the platform’s concept, key functionalities, and its potential impact on athletes, parents, and individuals living with Type 1 Diabetes.

The conversations highlighted the importance of accessible, community-driven support within sport, as well as the value of combining digital tools with educational resources. The upcoming launch of the application generated strong interest among attendees, particularly regarding its peer support features and comprehensive content library.

These networking opportunities proved to be an important moment not only for raising awareness about the DiaPS project, but also for gathering initial feedback from a diverse European audience. Such exchanges contribute to refining the final stages of development and strengthening the foundation for future community engagement.

As the project approaches its launch phase, continued collaboration within the EMCA network remains essential for ensuring its relevance and impact across different sports and organisational contexts.

Validating our new Educational Programme for Dual Careers in football

The EDU-DC – Education for Dual Careers of football talents project reached an important milestone during its recent meeting in Copenhagen, hosted by the Danish Football Association (DBU). Over two days, partners gathered to review research findings, exchange expertise, and validate the structure of the new EDU-DC Educational Programme. 

In recent months, the consortium – bringing together football federations from Denmark (DBU), the Netherlands (KNVB), Ireland (FAI) and Bulgaria (BFU), academic specialists from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), the European Multisport Club Association (EMCA) and the UEFA Academy – collected insights from more than 500 participants across Europe. These findings form the basis of a holistic training framework designed to help players aged 16–21 balance football, education, and personal development. 

During the meeting, partners discussed the main outcomes of the initial research phase, shared experiences from their national contexts, and confirmed the content and approach of the Educational Programme. This Programme will soon be piloted in clubs across Europe, supporting Dual Career Coordinators, coaches and support staff in creating stronger environments for young athletes. 

With the validation phase complete, EDU-DC now moves into implementation, where these tools will be tested and refined within real football settings across Europe. 

More updates will follow as the project enters this next exciting stage. 

Understanding how clubs support young athletes in balancing sport and education

On 13 June 2025, the EDU-DC – EDUcation for Dual Careers of football talents project hosted an insightful focus group led by the European Multisport Club Association (EMCA). The session brought together representatives from four pilot clubs: TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Germany), Aalborg (Denmark), Ferencváros (Hungary) and Olympiacos (Greece). 

The meeting explored how clubs across Europe help young athletes combine their sporting commitments with education — a central pillar of the dual career concept. 

Clubs from Germany and Denmark shared well-established examples of cooperation with schools, where coaches, teachers and club staff maintain regular communication to support players’ academic progress and resolve potential conflicts early. Meanwhile, Olympiacos and Ferencváros expressed strong motivation to further develop their dual career structures, highlighting the need for sustainable funding, mental coaching and access to external experts. 

Across all clubs, several key success factors emerged: mentoring systems, positive role models and partnerships with local companies that give young athletes valuable life skills and early employability experience. 

Despite many positive practices, the discussion also revealed common challenges. Many young athletes still underestimate the importance of having a “Plan B” beyond sport. Financial literacy and mental health support are limited, and dual career initiatives often rely on short-term project funding rather than long-term club strategies. Participants stressed the need for ongoing staff training, structured knowledge exchange and potentially a European-level guide to support smaller clubs in building effective dual career systems. 

The focus group confirmed that sustainable dual career support requires strong cooperation between clubs, schools and families, combined with investment in life skills, financial education and greater European coordination to ensure equal opportunities for all young athletes. 

From 7 to 8 March 2025, project partners took part in the EMCA General Assembly held in Piraeus, Greece, once again gathering multisport organisations and stakeholders from across Europe.

During the Assembly, the DiaPS – Diabetes and Sport Peer Support project was presented with a focus on its ongoing development phase, highlighting both the technical progress of the digital solution and the continued efforts in project dissemination.

Ongoing development of the digital solution

At this stage of the project, the DiaPS application is actively being developed in close collaboration with developers and UX/UI designers, with the goal of creating a user-friendly and accessible platform for all target groups.

Discussions focused on refining key features of the application, including user interaction, content navigation, and community functionalities. Particular attention is being given to ensuring a smooth user experience, allowing users to easily access educational materials while engaging with peer support elements within the platform.

Parallel work on content and user experience

In parallel with technical development, partners continue to work on expanding and structuring the educational content that will be integrated into the platform. This includes practical resources on sport and diabetes, designed to be clear, relevant, and easy to apply in real-life situations.

The alignment between content and design remains a key priority, ensuring that the information is not only valuable, but also presented in a way that supports intuitive use and encourages exploration.

Promoting DiaPS across the European network

Alongside development, the DiaPS project is being actively promoted across various events and networks, including EMCA activities. The General Assembly in Piraeus provided another valuable opportunity to present the project, share its progress, and raise awareness among organisations working in sport.

By continuously engaging with stakeholders and the wider sports community, the project aims to build visibility and prepare the ground for the upcoming launch of the platform.

As the development phase progresses, the focus remains on finalising the application, testing its functionalities, and ensuring that the platform effectively responds to the needs of people living with diabetes in sport.

A strong start to building better dual career pathways in European football

The EDU-DC – EDUcation for Dual Careers of football talents project has officially begun its first activities with a productive Kick-Off Meeting hosted by the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB). Partners from Denmark, Bulgaria, Ireland, Belgium and the European Multisport Club Association gathered in Zeist to align the project’s goals and next steps for the coming years. 

Running from November 2024 to April 2027 and co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, EDU-DC aims to help young football players aged 16 to 21 successfully combine their sporting ambitions with education and personal development. The Kick-Off Meeting marked the starting point of this shared mission. 

During the meeting, partners discussed the project’s work plan, research activities and the implementation of national pilots across five countries. These pilots will include 20 clubs across Europe, helping us map current dual career practices, monitor player experiences and develop new training programmes for coaches, Dual Career Coordinators and support staff. 

With the project now fully underway, EDU-DC is ready to strengthen dual career structures across European football and ensure that every young player can pursue success both on the pitch and in the classroom. 

Stay tuned for our next updates as we move into the first phase of research and pilot preparation. 

On 5 and 6 October 2024, project partners attended the EMCA General Assembly held in Budapest, Hungary. The event once again brought together multisport organisations and stakeholders from across Europe, creating a space for collaboration, exchange of ideas, and presentation of ongoing initiatives.

During the Assembly, the DiaPS – Diabetes and Sport Peer Support project was presented to the EMCA network, with a focus on the progress achieved since the kick-off phase and the next steps in the development of the digital solution.

Advancing the development of the platform

Following the initial planning phase earlier in the year, partners shared updates on the development of the DiaPS digital platform, including the structure of the application and its core functionalities. Particular attention was given to the integration of educational content with interactive features, allowing users not only to access information but also to actively engage with the community.

Early versions of the platform concept were discussed, including user journeys, content organisation, and the overall user experience, ensuring that the solution remains practical and easy to use for all target groups.

Content creation and testing preparation

In addition to technical development, significant progress was made in the creation of educational materials, covering key topics such as training, nutrition, and blood glucose management in sport. Partners exchanged feedback on the content approach, focusing on clarity, accessibility, and real-life applicability.

The discussion also introduced the upcoming testing phase, where selected users – including athletes, coaches, and experts – will be invited to explore the platform, provide feedback, and contribute to shaping the final version of the application.

Strengthening collaboration and shared vision

The Budapest Assembly provided another valuable opportunity for project partners to align their work and strengthen collaboration. Through open discussions and feedback from the wider EMCA network, the project continues to evolve in line with the needs of the sports community.

The positive response and interest shown by stakeholders confirmed the relevance of DiaPS and its potential to support people living with diabetes in staying active and engaged in sport.

As the project moves forward, the focus remains on refining the platform, expanding the content base, and preparing for the next stages of testing and implementation.

On 29 January 2024, project partners attended the EMCA General Assembly in Brussels, Belgium, bringing together multisport organisations and key stakeholders from across Europe. The event once again confirmed its role as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the development of innovative initiatives within the European sports community.

During the Assembly, the DiaPS – Diabetes and Sport Peer Support project was presented to the EMCA network, marking an important milestone in its development. At the same time, the project officially entered its kick-off phase, laying the foundation for upcoming activities and cooperation among partners.

From concept to implementation

Following its initial introduction in Piraeus, the Brussels meeting marked the transition of DiaPS from concept to implementation. Project partners aligned on key objectives, timelines, and responsibilities, establishing a clear roadmap for the development of the digital solution.

The kick-off phase focused on defining a shared vision of the platform, structuring the educational content, and setting the groundwork for the technical development of the application.

Building a digital peer support solution

DiaPS aims to create a digital environment where people living with Type 1 Diabetes who are involved in sport can access reliable information and connect with others facing similar challenges. By combining expert knowledge with real-life experiences, the platform will support athletes, coaches, parents, and other stakeholders in managing the demands of both sport and diabetes.

The development process includes the creation of educational materials, alongside the design of a user-friendly platform that encourages interaction, knowledge sharing, and community building across different sports and contexts.

Strengthening European collaboration

The EMCA General Assembly in Brussels provided an important opportunity for partners to connect, exchange perspectives, and strengthen cooperation at the very beginning of the project. The strong interest and engagement from EMCA members highlighted the relevance of such a solution within the European multisport environment.

With the kick-off successfully completed, the DiaPS project now moves into its next phase, focusing on development, testing, and continuous collaboration among partners.

The DiaPS project is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme and contributes to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for people living with diabetes in sport.

On the 27^nd of January 2024, the kickoff meeting was held in Brussels, Belgium, hosted by the European Multiclub Sport Association. The aim was to gather all project partners to determine the project’s direction, establish a framework for practical task implementation, and ensure a collaborative and productive environment for digital solution development.

The meeting began with an overview of the project, including discussions on work packages, timelines, task overviews, and reporting procedures. Subsequently, attention shifted to communication and dissemination strategies, where guidelines, the project image guidebook, and social media plans were thoroughly discussed.

Following this, the focus transitioned to the preparation and development phase. A workshop was conducted, addressing the collection of information from target groups for digital solution development, and concentrated on the actual development of the digital solution. As a result of the workshop, six different personas representing potential positive and negative users of the digital solution were created and described.

rom 29 to 30 September 2023, representatives of HAŠK Mladost attended the EMCA General Assembly and Conference held in Piraeus, Greece, marking the 10th anniversary of the European Multisport Club Association (EMCA). The event brought together leading multisport organisations from across Europe to discuss innovation, collaboration, and the future of sport.

During this important gathering, HAŠK Mladost officially presented the newly approved Erasmus+ project DiaPS – Diabetes and Sport Peer Support, introducing it to partners and stakeholders from across the EMCA network.

Introducing DiaPS

DiaPS is an innovative digital initiative aimed at supporting people living with Type 1 Diabetes who are involved in sport. Athletes with diabetes often face additional daily challenges, making around 180 more decisions per day compared to people without the condition. These challenges can sometimes lead to frustration, insecurity, and even dropping out of sport.

The DiaPS project aims to address this by developing a digital peer support solution where users can access reliable information and connect with others who share similar experiences. The platform will bring together athletes, coaches, parents, and experts from the fields of sport, medicine, and nutrition, creating a space for sharing knowledge, asking questions, and offering support.

A combination of knowledge and community

One of the key elements of DiaPS is the integration of educational content with peer-to-peer interaction. Users will be able to explore structured materials on topics such as training, nutrition, and blood glucose management, while also engaging with a community that understands the real-life challenges of balancing sport and diabetes.

The goal is not only to provide information, but also to create a supportive environment that encourages individuals to stay active and confident in their sporting journey.

Strengthening European collaboration

Presenting the DiaPS project at the EMCA General Assembly provided an excellent opportunity to connect with partners, exchange ideas, and gather initial interest from organisations across Europe. The strong response from the EMCA community confirmed the relevance and importance of addressing the intersection of sport and diabetes through innovative digital solutions.

As the project progresses, continued collaboration at European level will play a key role in shaping a tool that is both practical and impactful for its users.

The DiaPS project is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme and represents another step forward in using sport as a platform for inclusion, health, and innovation.