EASE Talks n°12 – How to develop the European Action of sport employers?

EASE Talks n°12 – How to develop the European action of sport employers

In the continuity of its mission to strengthen the voice of sport employers across Europe, EASE released the 12th edition of its EASE Talks series, under a forward-looking theme: “How to develop the European action of sport employers?”

At a time when the sport sector faces major transformations – from digital innovation to evolving labour standards – this edition explores how employers can build their European capacity, cooperate transnationally, and influence the policies shaping the future of work in sport.

Contributions from Maximilian Seltmann (German Sport University Cologne) and Gurvan Heuzé (KGH Conseil, France) shed light on two crucial dimensions of this challenge: why should sport employers develop their European action and how to do it?

Maximilian Seltmann’s insights highlighted the importance of social protection and structured dialogue between athletes and employers, stressing that stronger European cooperation can help fill policy gaps and foster fairer employment conditions across Member States. His research shows that the degree of labour organization directly influences the strength of social dialogue, a factor that can inspire national progress when supported at the EU level.

Gurvan Heuzé, meanwhile, demonstrated how employers can translate strategy into action through EU-funded projects. He emphasized that European funding is not merely financial support, but a driver of skill development, innovation, and credibility. The SOPROS project show how sport employers, by joining European partnerships, can gain expertise, visibility, and influence in shaping fairer and more sustainable employment standards in sport.

Finally, this edition features a focus on digital transformation, showcasing the TechSportKit project. It examines how new technologies are reshaping jobs, skills, and training in the sport sector. By mapping the impact of digital tools and co-creating European resources, this project demonstrates how sport employers can anticipate future labour trends and contribute to a more innovative and resilient European sports labour market.

Through these experiences, EASE Talk n°12 reaffirms that developing a European action is not an option, but a necessity. It is a way for sport employers to gain influence, share knowledge, and collectively shape the evolution of the European sport ecosystem.