On 12 December 2024, the partners of the ServeHER project held their official kick-off meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria, marking the start of the project implementation under the Erasmus+ Sport Programme. ServeHER (№ 101185045 — ServeHER — ERASMUS-SPORT-2024) is co-funded by the European Union and aims to promote education in and through sport, while enhancing the quality of coaching and dual career opportunities for young female volleyball players at grassroots level.
The project brings together two European volleyball federations – the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation and Volley Belgium – combining expertise in sport development, education, and gender equality to implement an innovative, science-based dual career programme for girls aged 16–17. During the kick-off meeting, project partners discussed and aligned on: the project’s objectives and overall implementation strategy; management and coordination procedures; upcoming research activities addressing the main reasons for girls’ drop-out from volleyball; the structure and development of the ServeHER dual career programme, including educational modules, virtual training sessions, and motivational content; By supporting young female athletes to remain engaged in sport while developing competences for future roles as coaches, managers, and statisticians, ServeHER contributes to creating a more inclusive and sustainable future for European volleyball.
