Български
RISE
RISE Empowered: United Against Sexual Violence in Sport
15.09.2025
From September 11 to 15, 2025, Cyprus hosted a powerful transnational event focused on addressing sexual violence in sport, as part of the RISE Empowered Above Sexual Violence project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. RISE – Rise Empowered Above Sexual Violence in Sports – is an Erasmus+ co-funded project that tackles the sensitive and critical issue of sexual violence in sport. It adopts a multi-dimensional strategy, combining research, resource development, education, and awareness actions to build a safer, more inclusive sporting environment.
The event featured two core activities:
• Train-the-Trainers Workshop for Sports Professionals (Sept 12–14, Oroklini). Representing Bulgaria, Nikoleta Stefanova, Krasimir Mihaylov, and Slavi Dikov — students of Adapted Physical Activity and Sport at the National Sports Academy ‘Vasil Levski’ — took part in the event;
• European Forum: Good Practices for Prevention and Combating of Sexual Violence in Sports (Sept 15, Nicosia).
Bringing together 25 participants from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Austria, the week-long programme aimed to:
• Strengthen knowledge and practical skills in safeguarding in sport;
• Empower sports professionals to identify and prevent sexual violence;
• Share national strategies and good practices from across Europe;
• Amplify the voices of survivors and advocates through open dialogue and audiovisual storytelling.
The European Forum, hosted under the auspices of the Cyprus Olympic Committee, featured contributions from academics, institutions, law enforcement, NGOs, and Olympic athletes. Key speakers included representatives from the Council of Europe, Cyprus Sports Organization, Greek Ministry of Sports, and Safe Sport NGO, which presented national and international steps toward safer sport, while Joanna Dochevska from Bulgarian sports development association presented the steps that Bulgaria has achieved on the topic.
The forum included the screening of the documentary “TACK”, starring Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou, and concluded with an open panel discussion exploring collaborative prevention mechanisms and support systems for victims. This event marks a significant step forward in the commitment to a safer, more respectful and inclusive sports environment for all, aligning with the project's wider awareness campaign #RiseEmpowered and #SportsAgainstSexualViolence.
For more information, visit www.rise-project.org,
Or follow the campaign via: #RiseEmpowered #SafeSport #SpeakUp #AthleteVoices #ErasmusPlus.
RISE is coordinated by the Social Policy and Action Organization (Cyprus), with partner organizations from Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, and Spain. The project runs from 2024 to 2026 and aims to deliver practical tools, educational materials, and digital resources that support all sports stakeholders in preventing sexual violence and ensuring a protective environment, particularly for young athletes.
• Train-the-Trainers Workshop for Sports Professionals (Sept 12–14, Oroklini). Representing Bulgaria, Nikoleta Stefanova, Krasimir Mihaylov, and Slavi Dikov — students of Adapted Physical Activity and Sport at the National Sports Academy ‘Vasil Levski’ — took part in the event;
• European Forum: Good Practices for Prevention and Combating of Sexual Violence in Sports (Sept 15, Nicosia).
Bringing together 25 participants from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Austria, the week-long programme aimed to:
• Strengthen knowledge and practical skills in safeguarding in sport;
• Empower sports professionals to identify and prevent sexual violence;
• Share national strategies and good practices from across Europe;
• Amplify the voices of survivors and advocates through open dialogue and audiovisual storytelling.
The European Forum, hosted under the auspices of the Cyprus Olympic Committee, featured contributions from academics, institutions, law enforcement, NGOs, and Olympic athletes. Key speakers included representatives from the Council of Europe, Cyprus Sports Organization, Greek Ministry of Sports, and Safe Sport NGO, which presented national and international steps toward safer sport, while Joanna Dochevska from Bulgarian sports development association presented the steps that Bulgaria has achieved on the topic.
The forum included the screening of the documentary “TACK”, starring Olympic sailing champion Sofia Bekatorou, and concluded with an open panel discussion exploring collaborative prevention mechanisms and support systems for victims. This event marks a significant step forward in the commitment to a safer, more respectful and inclusive sports environment for all, aligning with the project's wider awareness campaign #RiseEmpowered and #SportsAgainstSexualViolence.
For more information, visit www.rise-project.org,
Or follow the campaign via: #RiseEmpowered #SafeSport #SpeakUp #AthleteVoices #ErasmusPlus.
RISE is coordinated by the Social Policy and Action Organization (Cyprus), with partner organizations from Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, and Spain. The project runs from 2024 to 2026 and aims to deliver practical tools, educational materials, and digital resources that support all sports stakeholders in preventing sexual violence and ensuring a protective environment, particularly for young athletes.
