Sep 4, 2024
It is with great excitement that EAPA announces that it is a coordinator in the new EU-funded project under the ERASMUS+ program: PROtect Integrity Responsibly (PIR) scheduled for 2025.
The PROtect Integrity Responsibly focuses on promoting integrity and values in sport, by educating athletes on responsible gambling practices and, therefore, competition manipulation in sport.
The project consists of the following project partners: EAPA as the coordinator, EPIC Global Solutions, a global leading and award-winning gambling harm prevention harm consultancy and the following eight player associations:
AIP – Italian Volleyball Players Association
AJFS – Spanish Futsal Players Association
AJFSF – Spanish Women’s Futsal Players Association
AJPH – French Handball Players Union
GIBA – Italian Basketball Players Association
HSF – Danish Handball Players Association
RPI – Rugby Players Ireland
SNB – French Basketball Players Union
PROtect Integrity Responsibly is divided in the following stages. The first part consists of research on education on gambling harm prevention as well as research into evaluation of the education implemented in the project. Based on the research, a Report on developing education on gambling harm prevention and Evaluation shall be made.
Following the Report, educational materials shall be made for players. This shall include an online learning module and educational infographic on responsible gambling. The new educational materials shall be uploaded on www.protect-integrity.com.
Next, a “Train the Observer” workshop shall be organised for player association staff. The player associations will then provide at least 5,500 professionals and elite level athletes with blended face-to-face and online education about responsible gambling.
PROtect Integrity Responsibly is a continuation of over a decade of successful work from the Association in its fight against match-fixing and corruption in sport. This project will make sure to expand on previous project outcomes as well as cooperate with other Erasmus+ projects and national and international stakeholders working in similar domains.
For further information about the project, please contact: info@euathletes.org

Jun 11, 2024
European Athletes and Players Association (EU Athletes) is the European multi-sport federation of independent athlete and player unions and associations in sports such as basketball, handball, rugby, volleyball as well as individual and Olympic sports. More than 25 000 athletes are represented through the membership.
EAPA represents its members on matters that affect athletes, such as athlete rights, working conditions, integrity of sport, dual careers and education and many others.
We are looking for an intern to support the team in management and implementation of ongoing EU projects focusing on the integrity of sport and fight against match-fixing. The work of the intern will focus on assisting in preparation of the project deliverables, monitoring and reporting, participation in meetings as well as internal and external communication. Internship will also include other tasks related to current work priorities and every-day running of the association, depending on the interest and profile of the intern.
Profile
- Currently completing a university degree in a relevant field (European studies, Sport policy, Project management, EU law, international relations or similar), or a recent graduate.
- Knowledge of research methodology and excellent drafting skills.
- Good knowledge of EU funding programmes, especially Erasmus+, and project management methodology, as well as the European legal and policy framework, in particular related to sport policy.
- Basic ICT skills.
- Professional knowledge of English, knowledge of other languages is advantageous.
- Interest in the topic of sport integrity, athlete rights and representation.
Conditions
- 6 months paid internship, starting on the 1st of September 2024 (flexible).
- Remote or based in Brussels, with occasional travels possible.
Application process
- Send a CV and short cover letter to Paulina Tomczyk, the General Secretary at paulinatomczyk@euathletes.org before the 30th of June 2024.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews, which will take place in July.
Apr 18, 2024
Each year the 15th of April marks the #EUSportIntegrityDay, providing an opportunity to speak out against match fixing and reaffirm commitment to safeguarding the integrity of sport. Initiated by EU Athletes in 2014, the campaign has steadily expanded over the last 10 years and received support from various stakeholders, including player associations, sport federations, public bodies, as well as organisations such as UNODC, European Lotteries or IBIA.
For athletes, the consequences of match fixing can be profound, impacting their reputations and potentially jeopardising their careers. Athlete and player associations continue to be actively engaged in educating athletes about combating competition manipulation, empowering them to identify fixers and promptly report any suspicious activity.
Together with 8 player associations in Europe, EU Athletes is implementing an Erasmus+ project PROtect Integrity Online co-funded by the European Union. Since the beginning of the project in February 2023, more than 2800 players have received education on fighting against match fixing and corruption in sport. By the end of the project, the match fixing education will be delivered by player associations to at least 5,800 athletes in Europe through the blended face-to-face and online approach.
Join us in safeguarding our sports and make your stand against match fixing on #EUSportIntegrityDay every year.

Apr 17, 2024
The EU Sport Forum is an annual event organised by the European Commission to support the structured dialogue with the sport stakeholders. It is a key event offering a platform allowing sport organisations, representatives of the EU Institutions and Member States to exchange views on the current and future sport policies. This year´s Forum took place in Liege, Belgium, on the 16th and 17th of April and gathered more than 350 participants. It focused on some of the most topical issues in the sport sector, such as integrity, sustainability and gender equality.
EU Athletes was actively involved in the event, representing the views of the organised athletes. Our General Secretary took part in the panel discussion ¨Fair play: integrity and values of athletes¨ alongside experts from organisations such as UNODC and the Council of Europe. Paulina presented the PROtect Integrity Online project, emphasising the work that the player associations are doing to fight against match-fixing. She also spoke about the issues such as the lack of respect of athlete rights, including freedom of association and labour rights, and poor governance, that need to be addressed to protect the integrity of athletes and sport.
Feb 14, 2024
The staff and partners of the PROtect Integrity Online Erasmus+ project met at the Rugby Players Ireland office in Dublin on the 13th of February 2024. The purpose of the catch-up meeting was to review and discuss the implementation of the project so far, particularly when it comes to the integrity education supported by the online educational materials, which is currently implemented by the player associations. The upcoming activities, such as the EU Sport Integrity Day, Final Conference and Practical Guide, were also discussed.

