EASE at the 29th TAFISA World Congress: Promoting Inclusion Through Employment in Sport

From 13 to 17 May 2026, EASE had the pleasure of participating in the 29th TAFISA World Congress in Prague, Czech Republic. The event brought together more than 278 participants from 70 countries, representing sport organisations, public authorities, academics, and practitioners committed to advancing the vision of Sport for All.

Organised by TAFISA – The Association For International Sport for All, the Congress provided a unique platform to exchange projects, initiatives, research, and good practices aimed at making sport more accessible, inclusive, and impactful across the globe.

Bringing the Employer Perspective to the Global Stage

As the European Association of Sport Employers, EASE was proud to contribute to these discussions by highlighting the crucial link between inclusive workplaces and inclusive sport participation.

During the Congress, EASE took part in the panel session “From Boomers to Gen α? Sport for All Reconciling Generations”, where we presented the results of our Erasmus+ project BeST Inclusion. Our intervention focused specifically on the project’s recommendations regarding age inclusion in the sport workforce.

Too often, discussions about inclusion in sport focus solely on participants. However, inclusion must also be addressed behind the scenes, within the organisations that deliver sport. Through BeST Inclusion, EASE explored how sport employers can create workplaces where all generations can thrive, collaborate, and contribute.

The project developed practical recommendations for employers, including:

  • Investing in digital learning opportunities for older workers;
  • Supporting young professionals through skills development and career management;
  • Encouraging mentorship, apprenticeships, and intergenerational knowledge transfer;
  • Promoting an intersectional approach to inclusion that considers age, gender, and disability together.

Presenting the European Social Charter for Sport Events

In addition to the panel discussion, EASE also presented its European Social Charter for Sport Events (ESCSE) through a poster presentation. The Charter, developed through a broad European partnership, proposes 13 commitments aimed at improving the social impact of sport events, covering governance, people, and sustainability dimensions.

The Congress offered an excellent opportunity to disseminate the Charter to an international audience.

A Global Challenge Requiring Collective Action

One of the strongest messages emerging from the Congress was that inclusion is not a local challenge—it is a global and structural one.

Whether discussing age, gender, disability, or social background, achieving truly inclusive sport requires leadership, cooperation, and long-term commitment. For EASE, employers have a critical role to play in this transformation. By building inclusive workplaces, supporting diverse talent, and investing in people, sport organisations can create the conditions for broader participation in sport and physical activity.

At EASE, we remain committed to promoting Sport for All by connecting inclusion, employment, and workforce development. We firmly believe that a more inclusive sport workforce is a key step towards a more inclusive sport sector overall!