Soft skills development of athletes & educational cooperation on EU level for employment opportunities increase

The growing impact of sport has secured it an important place in EU strategies and programmes. Sports play a vital role in European societies, as they not only contribute to the well-being of people but also have a strong educational impact on the continent. Sports are in line with the development of professional skills, as athletes acquire not only basic competences (fair play, self-esteem, resilience, honesty, trust) or special qualities (patience, courage and senesce of responsibility) but also specific job related skills (sensitivity to diversity, client/environment awareness, generating synergies, teambuilding, taking care of people). Therefore, sports become an added qualification and increase athletes’ employment opportunities. Many athletes want to use their skills, networks and profile even to start their own business, however, due to their busy schedule, they often miss out on specific education. ATHOS project is a new initiative which connects athletes, sport organizations and NGOs, all from 4 EU Member States (Luxembourg, Greece, Romania and the Netherlands) with expertise and a continued interest in improving athletes’ support in their life and career during and after sport. It offers them the opportunity to combine sport and top-level educational training, focuses within their sporting career on their soft skills development with main aim to prepare them properly for their possible entry in the labor market and promotes the development of transnational networks in the field of sport.Study Visits, Seminars, Project Meetings in 4 countries and 1 educational platform will be the vehicle to reach best practices, which will be recorded in a e-Guide, available online. Project outputs will be extensively disseminated to ensure the widespread engagement with and uptake of the new resources is achieved. Key stakeholders will occupy a central role in the development process throughout the project life-cycle and their feedback will inform the ongoing process.