December 2024 – Launch of Let Us Be: a pathway to promote gender equality in sport

In December 2024, the European project LUB – Let Us Be officially kicked off. Co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Sport programme, the project aims to support sports associations in improving their internal culture and practices in terms of gender equality.

While sport is often seen as a space for education, well-being and social inclusion, it continues to be shaped by stereotypes, inequalities and cultural models that may exclude or penalise girls, women, and people with non-conforming gender identities. Let Us Be was created to challenge this reality, offering practical tools and tailored consultancy to sports organisations ready to take action.

A pathway designed for sports associations

At the heart of the project is a free consultancy model, created to help associations:

• analyse their internal situation through anonymous questionnaires for staff and members;

• identify strengths and critical areas;

• set clear, measurable objectives to improve gender equality;

• implement targeted actions with the support of activity sheets and practical tools.

This process is guided, accessible and adaptable to any sporting context – from small local clubs to more structured organisations.

An educational booklet is on the way

As part of the project, an educational booklet will also be produced to explore key issues around gender stereotypes in sport in a simple and direct way – from language and leadership, to media representation and power dynamics. The resource will be useful not only for trainers and board members, but also for coaches, parents and young athletes.

A growing European network

LUB is made possible through the collaboration of various European organisations working in sport, education and gender equality. This diverse partnership contributes to the richness of the project, bringing together different experiences and perspectives, and making the proposed tools relevant, flexible and replicable.

Although the journey has just begun, Let Us Be aims to inspire real, long-term cultural change – starting within sports associations and spreading to the wider community.