UAOA - Developing a Pan-European Framework to

This work programme will enable societal change in how citizens engage with social media and address the effects of online abuse in sports. In 2022, demonstrating proactivity on this issue, the FIA, the governing body of motorsport, established “United Against Online Abuse” (UAOA), a coalition of national governments, regulatory institutions, international sporting federations (IFs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), campaigning to combat online harm in sport. Taking the work of this coalition further, the primary supporting aims of this project are to: • Embed an understanding of online abuse in sports through research and education. • Develop a communication strategy to inform and protect diverse groups of participants engaged in the sports ecosystem (namely athletes, volunteers, officials, executives, and fans). • Expand knowledge, experience, and capacity within IFs to challenge the scourge of online abuse. • Develop AI-assisted, targeted social media strategies to support the endeavours of IFs. The project will necessitate effective governance and administration, education and knowledge development, capacity building, and research and advocacy practices. Amongst multiple beneficiaries of this work will be those supporting young people and other vulnerable groups targeted by online abuse alongside other participants identified due to their perceived gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or cultural heritage. This project will provide outputs to support the online safety of athletes and other stakeholders across Europe including: • A micro-credential dedicated to online sports safety to educate, safeguard, and prevent online abuse. • A bespoke critical incident framework to assist IFs, national members, and affiliates in safeguarding their participants against online abuse. • The dissemination of empirical research to support evidence-based interventions. • The first pan-EU awareness campaign to combat online abuse at all levels of sport. that is published through this page expresses the views of the project beneficiaries only and it does not represent the views of the European Union or the European Commission. It shall not be deemed to constitute legal or official notice on behalf of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for this content nor the use thereof made by any third parties. Page 2 of 2