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The EMCA Sport Innovation Hub transforms sports clubs into centers of innovation and technology

The EMCA Sport Innovation Hub transforms sports clubs into centers of innovation and technology at a European scale.

EMCA continues to grow and pioneer. With the official presentation of the Sport Innovation Hub in Sant Cugat, Barcelona, the European Multisport Club Association sets the foundation for a strategic initiative that connects the world of sport with European ecosystems in health, technology, and education. The event, hosted at CAR Sant Cugat, served as the first pilot implementation of a model that transforms sports clubs into “living labs” for innovation.

​The objective of the EMCA Sport Innovation Hub is to create an environment where innovative solutions can be tested and developed in real-life conditions. The key pillars of the initiative include health and prevention, sports performance, sustainability, healthy lifestyles, and education. Through this networking, EMCA facilitates the connection between startups, universities, technology centers, and public administration, strengthening the role of multisport clubs as accelerators of progress with a real impact on society.

The project structure is based on four central pillars:

  • EMCA Demo Day: An annual European meeting to connect innovative companies with sports clubs.
  • EMCA Labs (Living Labs): A network of clubs acting as testing environments for new technological solutions.
    ​European Sports Innovation Observatory: A tool to identify trends and share specialized knowledge.
  • Strategic Alliances: Collaborations with academic institutions, European bodies, and industry partners.
  • ​The success of the pilot phase in Barcelona, with the participation of leading organizations and technology companies, confirms the dynamics of the model. EMCA consolidates its position as a reference point for the implementation of European programs, promoting sustainability and digital transformation.

The next step involves activating the Hub’s operational plan, opening new funding and development opportunities for European sport.

EMCA Connect Istanbul: QIS – All In (Quality Inclusiveness in Sport – All In)

The QIS – All In project was presented during the EMCA Connect Autumn 2025 weekend in Istanbul, as part of the EMCA Projects Poster Walk, focusing on inclusiveness and accessibility in sports environments across Europe.

QIS – All In (Quality Inclusiveness in Sport) envisions sports facilities where every area is accessible to people with disabilities — from the arena to the changing rooms, from the stands to the offices. The project aims to make accessibility a shared value and a measurable standard, guiding managers, designers, and communities to create spaces that welcome everyone.

Through collaboration and awareness campaigns, the project promotes the idea that inclusion in sport begins with inclusive infrastructure.

EMCA and HASK Mladost are partners in this initiative, working together to ensure that accessibility becomes a key element of future sports facility design and management.

EMCA Connect Istanbul: SPEED (Sport and Prevention of Emerging Eating Disorders)

The SPEED project was presented during the EMCA Connect Autumn 2025 weekend in Istanbul as part of the EMCA Projects Poster Walk, raising awareness of the growing challenge of eating disorders among athletes.

SPEED (Sport and Prevention of Emerging Eating Disorders) addresses the increasing prevalence of eating disorders within the European sports community. The project’s main goal is to create a sports environment that protects rather than pressures — helping to prevent the development of eating disorders among athletes.

Through the sharing of best practices for coaches, and the creation of educational materials for athletes and parents, the project aims to promote a healthy relationship with food, body image, and performance.

The project is coordinated by Pontevecchio Bologna, with EMCA members TJ Bohemians, Ferencvaros, Levski Sport for All, Olympiacos, and Sant Cugat Creix as partners.

EMCA Connect Istanbul: YOULEAD (Leading the Game – Developing Pathways for Gender-Balanced Youth Leaders in Sports Governance)

The YOULEAD project was presented during the EMCA Connect Autumn 2025 weekend in Istanbul as part of the EMCA Projects Poster Walk, emphasising the importance of youth participation and gender balance in sports governance.

YOULEAD (Leading the Game) is an Erasmus+ project designed to address the under-representation of young people and women in sports governance. It fosters cooperation among sports organisations, educational institutions, and youth groups to build inclusive and diverse leadership structures within European sport.

The project promotes social inclusion, diversity, and active citizenship by providing training, networking, and mentorship opportunities for young leaders who aspire to make a difference in how sport is managed and governed.

EMCA is a partner in this project, contributing to knowledge exchange, communication, and dissemination activities.

EMCA Connect Istanbul: Gold Age

During the EMCA Connect Autumn 2025 weekend in Istanbul, the Gold Age project was showcased as part of the EMCA Projects Poster Walk, highlighting initiatives that promote healthy and active ageing through sport.

The Gold Age project aimed to improve the health and well-being of elderly citizens across three European cities — Sofia, Rome, and Zagreb — in line with the principles of Healthy Lifestyle 4 All. Its mission was to encourage regular physical activity among seniors, fostering inclusion and participation regardless of gender, ethnicity, physical ability, or age.

The project consortium included Levski Sport for All, Fondazione S.S. Lazio 1900, and HASK Mladost, who worked together to create accessible, community-based sport programmes for older adults.

EMCA Connect Istanbul: ReScore (Reimagining the Score in European grassroots Football)

As part of the EMCA Connect Autumn 2025 weekend in Istanbul, the ReScore project was presented in the EMCA Projects Poster Walk, emphasising sustainability and education within grassroots football.

ReScore aims to promote sustainability in grassroots football through the innovative CircuLite model, which educates young athletes, coaches, and club managers about the principles of the Circular Economy, inclusion, and community engagement.

The project encourages football organisations to rethink how they use resources, manage waste, and foster environmental awareness within their local communities.

Sporting Club Portugal, an EMCA member, is a partner in this forward-thinking Erasmus+ initiative.

EMCA Connect Istanbul: EDU-DC (Education for Dual Careers in Football)

During the EMCA Connect Autumn 2025 weekend in Istanbul, the EDU-DC project was highlighted as part of the EMCA Projects Poster Walk, showcasing its commitment to supporting young athletes in balancing sport and education.

EDU-DC (Education for Dual Careers in Football) aims to help talented male and female football players aged 16–21 build successful dual career paths, combining high-level sport, academic excellence, and personal development.

The project develops educational tools, mentoring systems, and best practices to ensure that young athletes can pursue their sporting ambitions while preparing for life beyond the field.

EMCA is part of the project consortium, contributing to the promotion of dual-career awareness and implementation within European football.

EMCA Connect Istanbul: FONTES (FOstering New TEchniques for Social Integration through Sport)

The FONTES project was showcased during the EMCA Connect Autumn 2025 weekend in Istanbul, as part of the EMCA Projects Poster Walk, highlighting the power of sport as a tool for social inclusion and community integration.

FONTES (FOstering New TEchniques for Social Integration through Sport) uses sport to foster social integration, particularly among recent immigrant communities and youth at risk of exclusion. The project engages both grassroots sports organisations and religious institutions of various faiths, leveraging their trusted community networks to reach vulnerable young people.

Building on the “Sport for Development and Peace (SDP)” approach, FONTES focuses especially on marginalised youth and Muslim communities, promoting mutual understanding, inclusion, and active participation through sport.

EMCA is the coordinator of this project, supporting the design, implementation, and dissemination of new inclusive sport models across Europe.

EMCA Connect Istanbul: ReSea Sports

During the EMCA Connect Autumn 2025 weekend in Istanbul, the ReSea Sports project was featured in the EMCA Projects Poster Walk, drawing attention to the connection between sport, coastal environments, and environmental sustainability.

Across Europe, coastal regions face increasing challenges from climate change, pollution, and human activity. While outdoor sport brings many social and health benefits, it also carries a responsibility toward environmental protection.

ReSea Sports focuses on:

Raising awareness about the ecological impact of sports

Creating practical tools and guidelines for sustainable sports operations

Engaging local communities in regenerative actions

Promoting inclusive access to nature in an environmentally responsible way

The project highlights the vital role sport can play in protecting our planet’s coasts while strengthening communities. HASK Mladost, an EMCA member, is one of the partners in this project.

EMCA Connect Istanbul: STAY! (Decreasing Teenage Dropout in Sport)

During the EMCA Connect Autumn 2025 weekend in Istanbul, the STAY! project was featured as part of the EMCA Projects Poster Walk, highlighting innovative ways to keep young people engaged in sport.

STAY! is an Erasmus+ initiative that explored new strategies to reduce teenage dropout rates in sport — particularly among those who no longer see themselves in high-performance pathways. The project focused on volunteering, youth leadership, flexible engagement, and non-competitive roles, promoting an inclusive and sustainable approach to sport participation.

The project was coordinated by HASK Mladost, with EMCA, TSV Bayer04, Levski Sport for All, and Fondazione S.S. Lazio 1900 as consortium partners.

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