LUB project: consultancy activities turn knowledge into real change

Between November 2025 and January 2026, the LUB – Let Us Be project entered one of its most concrete and impactful phases: the implementation of consultancy activities within local sports organisations.

After the international training in Lisbon and the subsequent local meetings, participants were ready to move from learning and reflection to direct action, taking on the role of LUB Consultants within their own communities and beyond.

Becoming a LUB Consultant

This phase marked a significant step in the project: participants were no longer just learners, but active agents of change.

Through the LUB methodology, they were guided in developing the skills needed to act as consultants, learning how to:

• analyse a sports community in a structured and objective way;

• identify strengths, critical issues and hidden dynamics related to gender equality;

• define clear and strategic objectives for improvement;

• design tailored activities aligned with those objectives;

• evaluate the impact of their interventions;

• provide constructive feedback to organisation leaders and stakeholders.

This process transformed theoretical knowledge into a practical and professional competence that can be applied in real contexts.

Understanding sports communities from within

A central element of the consultancy activities was the in-depth analysis of each sports organisation.

Consultants worked closely with staff, coaches and members to better understand the internal culture, communication styles, participation dynamics and potential barriers related to gender.

This phase was essential to ensure that each consultancy was not generic, but context-based, realistic and effective, responding to the specific needs of each organisation.

Designing and implementing tailored actions

Based on the analysis, consultants structured targeted interventions aimed at promoting gender equality in everyday sports practice.

These actions included:

• introducing inclusive and gender-sensitive communication;

• redesigning training activities to ensure equal participation;

• encouraging leadership opportunities for all genders;

• creating safe and open spaces for dialogue and self-expression;

• addressing stereotypes through experiential and educational activities.

The focus was always on practicality: small, achievable changes capable of generating meaningful impact over time.

Strengthening skills beyond sport

The consultancy process also highlighted how sport can be a powerful tool for developing key life skills.

Through their work, LUB Consultants contributed to:

• strengthening leadership and self-confidence among young people;

• promoting mutual respect and trust within teams;

• supporting personal growth beyond traditional gender expectations;

• fostering a more conscious and inclusive sporting culture.

These soft skills are not only relevant in sport, but also fundamental in education, work and everyday life.

From local action to broader impact

Another important outcome of this phase was the scalability of the LUB approach.

Participants developed the ability to apply the consultancy model not only within their own organisations, but also in other contexts, positioning themselves as reference figures for gender equality in sport.

They are now able to:

• transfer knowledge and methodologies to other associations;

• propose new activities and training approaches;

• contribute to the dissemination of inclusive practices at a wider level;

• be recognised as competent professionals in the field of gender equality in sport.

Building a new professional identity

Beyond the immediate impact on organisations, the consultancy phase also contributed to shaping a new professional identity for participants.

Becoming a LUB Consultant means being equipped with a specific set of knowledge, skills and competences that combine sport, education and social awareness.

It means being able to observe, analyse, act and reflect — with the goal of making sport a space where everyone can feel included, respected and free to be themselves.

A key step towards lasting change

The consultancy activities carried out between November 2025 and January 2026 represent a turning point in the LUB project.

They demonstrate how a structured educational pathway can lead to real, tangible change when participants are empowered, supported and given the right tools.

Step by step, organisation by organisation, LUB continues to contribute to the creation of a more inclusive, equitable and conscious sports culture across Europe.