The Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (DOSB) is pleased to be a partner in the new Erasmus+ Project named “Strengthening Response Mechanism for Safeguarding in European Sports” (SAFE HARBOUR), which is coordinated by the European Olympic Committees EU Office (EOC EU Office). This initiative is dedicated to enhancing safeguarding mechanisms across European sport, creating safer environments for all. The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) is the non-governmental umbrella organization of German sport.

• The DOSB counts more than 27 million memberships in about 87.000 sports clubs. It is the largest citizens’ movement in Germany.
• The DOSB has 102 member organizations, including 16 regional sports confederations, 69 national (sport-governing) federations and 17 sport associations with special tasks.
• The DOSB serves as an organization for consultation and advice, providing services to its member associations which are independent in terms of their organization, financing and specialization. As the umbrella organization, the DOSB represents the interests of organized sport in Germany towards the institutions of the European Union, of the Federal Republic of Germany, the 16 federal states and municipalities in Germany as well as the churches and all socio-political and cultural areas.
• Following the basic idea of „sport for all“, the DOSB develops programmes which are intended to give each and every person equal access to sports, independent of their age, gender, race, sexual orientation or social background.
• In the light of its policy of gender equality, the DOSB attaches great importance to the promotion of girls and women in and through sport.

The German Sports Youth (dsj) is the youth organisation within the DOSB. It coordinates the work of the member organisations, particularly in joint tasks. The German Sports Youth bundles the interests of around 10 million children, teenagers and young people up to the age of 26. It aims to further develop the forms of sporting and general youth work. It also aims to promote education, care and upbringing through child and youth work in sport, thereby contributing to the fulfilment of social and youth policy tasks.

Current activities of the organisation:

• DOSB-Step model (2021-2024): Development and implementation of minimum standards for the prevention and intervention of sexualised violence for the DOSB and its member organisations
• Offer to the member organization to connect to the “Central Whistleblowing Office”, where affected persons can submit information, whistleblowers are informed about the procedure and the course of the procedure and the information is then passed on to the responsible institution for investigation (2023).
  Project ID: 101183590
• Development of the “Future Plan Safe Sport” (from 2023) for DOSB, dsj and their member organisations to agree on a common overall strategy focusing on safeguarding from interpersonal violence (investigation, prevention, intervention and reappraisal at every level of organised sport)
• Participating in the stakeholder process by the Federal Ministry of the Interior to develop a roadmap for the establishment of a Centre for Safe Sport in Germany
• Development of a Safe Sport Code (SSC) that is intended to be a binding framework for organised sport in Germany
• Client for the preparation of legal opinions on the subject of licence revocation and the development of options for its implementation
• Work on the topic of reappraisal: Publication of guidelines
• Collaboration with research to identify safeguarding gaps in sport and develop practical guidelines for action

Previous projects/initiatives/actions on safeguarding and EU funding

• dsj was partner in EU-projects: e.g. VOICES, CASES, Sport Respects Your Rights
• dsj step-model for the prevention of sexualised violence for the dsj and its member organisations: minimum standards for safeguarding measures in youth organisations

Within the SAFE HARBOUR project, DOSB will play a critical role in tailoring the European Response framework to its national context. Responsibilities include drafting a National Strategy to guide safeguarding actions, delivering mandatory training for the leadership and National Federations, and hosting a National Multiplier Event to raise awareness among stakeholders. Additionally, DOSB will engage in peer-to-peer roundtables, contribute to thematic seminars, and disseminate the project results through various channels. By actively participating in all project activities, DOSB will help ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of safeguarding measures.

SAFE HARBOUR is a 30-month initiative running from January 2025 to June 2027. It brings together 27 partners, including the EOC EU Office, the International Olympic Committee, 2 International Federations, 20 European National Olympic Committees, and expert organisations like Thomas More and the Asser Institute. The project aims to assess current safeguarding practices, develop a European Response framework, and establish the European Network for Safe Sport online platform to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Through tailored National Strategies, training sessions, and awareness-raising events, the project will ensure lasting impact, promoting safeguarding as a cornerstone of good governance across European sport.