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From research to impact: PASS pushes for transformation in sports

  • 02.02.2026
  • Research
Personen stehen in einem Aufenthaltsraum nebeneinander.
© Institut für Europäische Sportentwicklung und Freizeitforschung (IESF)

The PASS partners together in Copenhagen.

The PASS research project shows that sport can drive lasting social change. At the partner meeting in Copenhagen and the MOVE Congress, a key milestone was reached and the importance of advocacy in sport was emphasized.

The PASS (Policy Advocacy for Sport and Society) research project at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol shows that sport continues to be a powerful driver of social change. Throughout 2025, inspiration from global initiatives such as the World Social Summit and the Week of Action on Sport and Refugees, which place sport at the center of social justice and inclusion, has been incorporated into the project development.

Following on from this, the fourth and final transnational partner meeting of the PASS project took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, at the end of October 2025. This face-to-face meeting was an important milestone for the project. The partners were able to finalize the core structure of the PASS Policy Advocacy Toolkit and agree on how this work should be translated into a digital learning course.

At the same time and in the same place, the MOVE Congress of the ISCA (International Sport and Culture Association) took place, a global association that promotes recreational sports as a means of health, social integration, and social participation. The partners took the opportunity to participate in panel discussions and workshops on topics such as the integration of refugees through sport, mobility justice, active community development, and sustainable financing of sport. In doing so, they strengthened the visibility of PASS at the European level and the need for advocacy.

POLICY ADVOCACY IN SPORT: IMPACT BEYOND PROJECTS

In the field of sport for development, policy advocacy is a crucial tool for achieving sustainable and long-term impact. The term describes the efforts of organizations and practitioners to influence political decisions and decision-making processes in their communities and countries. By specifically incorporating advocacy into sports-based social programs, structural barriers can be broken down, program outcomes can be strengthened, and lasting change can be achieved beyond individual projects.

Building on these principles, the PASS project aims to promote citizen participation and engagement in the field of sport and social development. This increased engagement will in turn be used to strengthen education, equality, and shared values within European communities.

Project design and a hopeful glimpse into the future

The previous project phases focused on research, needs analysis, and the joint development of practical policy advocacy tools. This work resulted in a toolkit that provides users with concrete methods for planning, communicating, and implementing initiatives for political advocacy in social issues.

In Copenhagen, the partners turned their attention to the next phase: the toolkit is to be converted into a barrier-free, easily accessible digital learning course that builds capacity in the field of sport for development and supports sustainable impact in communities.

The PASS team is currently finalizing the Policy Advocacy Toolkit, which is expected to be published in spring 2026. This will be followed by the development and optimization of the digital learning course. Looking back on the progress made so far and the steps ahead, the PASS partners started 2026 with great motivation and are looking forward to implementing the next phase of the project.

 

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