On 19 September 2025, the partners of Project DATA – Digital Administrative and Training Assistant gathered for the second Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) at the Municipal Business Center of Gijón, “Edificio Impulsa.” Hosted by UNIVERSITAS, the event brought together partners from across Europe to review progress, align on deliverables, and set the course for the upcoming months.

The meeting opened with a warm welcome from UNIVERSITAS and introductions of new colleagues joining from RSS and the European Judo Union (EJU).

Key Takeaways

• RSS presented the D1 Implementation progress report, covering the Project Management Plan, Quality Plan, Evaluation Plan, and Sustainability Plan.

• RSS presented the Pilot Strategic Planning draft.

• The official app launch is scheduled for 31 March 2026.

• Partners finalised the structure and responsibilities for the 10-hour training program, which will be divided into basic and advanced sections:

The next TPM will be hosted by EJU in Vienna (April 2026, after Easter), ideally coinciding with the DATA app launch event.

The meeting concluded with a recap of action points, emphasising timely feedback, report finalisations, and module preparation. Special thanks were extended to UNIVERSITAS for hosting and organising this successful gathering.

Alongside project updates, partners also had the opportunity to record professional promotional material for the upcoming online course, bringing the project’s vision closer to sports clubs and associations.

With steady progress on the training modules and the app development, Project DATA is on track to deliver innovative tools that will help sports organisations accelerate their digital transformation journey.

Stay tuned for more news, updates, and insights as we move closer to the launch!

The DATA (Digital Administrative and Training Assistant) project team recently held a productive progress meeting to assess their advancements and plan the next phase of their digital transformation initiative for the sports sector. Now six months into the project, the team is gaining momentum in delivering impactful solutions for sports organisations across Europe.

Key Highlights from the Meeting

Marcos Lopez Flores opened the session with an overview of the app market analysis. His review highlighted leading digital platforms such as TeamSnap and TeamLinkt, setting a benchmark for the features and functionality the DATA project may consider. In parallel, he presented a preliminary outline for a survey aimed at gathering in-depth insights into user expectations and requirements.

This upcoming survey is targeted at CEOs and senior executives in sport organisations, with data collection scheduled to take place between April and May 2025. The survey is a crucial step in ensuring the solutions being developed are grounded in the real needs of those managing and operating in the sport sector.

Gathering Best Practices and Strategic Input

To supplement the survey findings, the team agreed to begin a screening of best practices and digital strategies using a collaboratively shared spreadsheet. This method will enable the identification of effective approaches already in use, offering a valuable reference as the project continues shaping its own tools and methodologies.

Focus on Multilingual Accessibility

Irene Benito introduced the draft version of the questionnaire, underlining the importance of ensuring multilingual accessibility to maximise participation across diverse geographic regions. Translating the survey into multiple languages will facilitate broader engagement and inclusivity, two pillars of the DATA project's communication strategy.

Looking Ahead: Training Program in Development

One of the long-term objectives of the DATA initiative is the creation of a comprehensive training program tailored to the evolving digital needs of sport professionals. The program is expected to launch by September 2026, in alignment with the overall project timeline.

Immediate Action Points

To maintain momentum, the team outlined several short-term priorities:

• Screen and document best practices and strategies using the provided template.

• Review the draft questionnaire on Google Forms and offer feedback.

• Collect all survey responses by the end of May 2025.

• Finalise the survey structure by the end of April 2025.

As the DATA project progresses, these coordinated efforts are setting the stage for a transformative impact on how sport organisations embrace and implement digital technologies.

The Rijeka Sports Association (Riječki sportski savez) serves as the central coordinating body for sports activities in the city of Rijeka, Croatia. Established under Article 48 of the Croatian Sports Act, the association unites all sports clubs within the city, promoting and developing sports across various disciplines. Its primary responsibilities include coordinating member activities, fostering sports in alignment with the National Sports Development Programme, particularly focusing on children, youth, students, and individuals with disabilities and proposing public sports program co-funding initiatives to the city government and council for adoption.

Rijeka boasts a vibrant sports community, with over 25,000 citizens participating in various sports activities. This includes 17,000 active athletes, comprising both registered competitors and non-registered participants, as well as members of sports and student sports clubs, and athletes with disabilities. These individuals are affiliated with 222 clubs that form part of the Rijeka Sports Federation, encompassing approximately 350 sports teams across 48 different sports activities and disciplines.

The association also emphasises inclusivity through the Para Sports Association of the City of Rijeka, which aims to develop and promote sports among persons with disabilities. This includes organising sporting activities, coordinating program activities, and developing programs for international and regional cooperation.

Through its comprehensive approach, the Rijeka Sports Association plays a pivotal role in fostering a dynamic and inclusive sports environment, contributing to public health, education, and the overall development of society in Rijeka.

The European Judo Union (EJU) was founded on 28th July 1948 in London. It is a non-political and a non-profit organisation, currently established under Austrian Association Law, that represents one of the five continental unions inside the International Judo Federation (IJF). The EJU is composed of 51 Member National Federations or Associations officially recognised through their National Olympic Committees. As a Continental Union inside IJF, the EJU in charge of implementing the policies of the IJF and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and It does not discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, gender or politics.

Judo was created in 1882 by Professor Jigoro Kano. As an educational method derived from the martial arts, judo became an official Olympic sport in 1964. Judo is a highly codified sport in which the mind controls the expression of the body and is a sport which contributes to educating individuals. Beyond competitions and combat, judo involves technical research, practice of Kata, self-defence work, physical preparation, sharpening of spirit. Judo is the way of the highest or most efficient use of both physical and mental energy.

Through training in the attack and defence techniques of judo, the practitioner nurtures their physical and mental strength, and gradually embodies the essence of the Way of Judo. Thus, the ultimate objective of Judo discipline is to be utilized as a means to self-perfection, and thenceforth to make a positive contribution to society. As a discipline derived from ancestral traditions, judo was designed by its Master Founder as an eminently modern and progressive activity.

The Erasmus+ DATA Project – Digital Administrative and Training Assistant invites all club-based organisations to support an important initiative. This initiative aims to develop a user-friendly digital tool designed to meet the everyday needs of sports organisations. The survey, titled “Digital Readiness of Sport Organisations”, aims to gather valuable insights into how digital tools are currently being used in sport management and what is needed to support future innovation.

Survey Link: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7udGmkKtL_ZFcubcUUKlGiFo1F8XIkBMmjBukiPdKwr0hrg/viewform

The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. All responses will remain strictly confidential and will be used solely to inform the research and development process within the DATA project framework.

Your support is instrumental in ensuring that the digital solutions we help to develop are practical, relevant, and beneficial to the wider sporting community.

Sport Innovation Hub is a Start-Up company based in Spain. The company works with a diverse and international team of scientists and engineers. 

Their aim is to develop innovative scientific projects and evidence-based technologies focused on sports sciences, physical activity for health, and education. The Hub hosts start-ups in the context of sport & innovation, providing them with support, guidance, access to best practices, key European stakeholders, funding, and more.

Research, Consultancy and Guidance

International experts in Sport Sciences will support, evaluate, pilot or audit your projects from a scientific perspective.

Sport APPs Design and Development

Our development and sports science team will work with your institution to transform your ideas into evidence-based technologies.

Internationalisation and Projects

Going international, scaling up your projects and getting international grants for funding the implementation of your projects.

Read more about our partners: https://sportinnovationhub.com 

Established in 1995 by the Portuguese State and several founding partners, the Sports Foundation promotes and develops Portuguese sport nationally and internationally. In its early years, it gained visibility through initiatives like the Champions’ Gala, but faced financial and organisational challenges that limited its impact.

A turning point came in 2013, when the Foundation was classified as an institution of private law and public utility and was tasked with coordinating Portugal’s network of High Performance Centers (CARs). This responsibility revitalised its role, leading to investments in modernising CARs, supporting elite athletes, boosting local economies, and promoting Portugal’s international sports presence.

Today, the Foundation’s mission is to foster sport in areas such as high performance, education, health, tourism, and the economy, while encouraging broader sports participation among the population. It coordinates the national CAR network alongside key sports and government bodies, and contributes to international cooperation with CPLP and Ibero-American countries.

Read more: https://fundacaodesporto.pt 

EUNIK, the European Network for Innovation and Knowledge, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing digital transformation, research, and education across Europe. Its mission is to support public and private institutions in enhancing knowledge management, implementing e-learning programmes, and embracing digital innovation to foster a more sustainable future.

EUNIK collaborates with a diverse network of researchers and professionals across various disciplines, including health, education, psychology, and technology. Through initiatives such as the EUNIK Academy, the organisation offers tailored support for launching online courses, developing mobile and web applications, and boosting research productivity. By partnering with EUNIK, institutions can access cutting-edge tools and expertise to drive impactful, collaborative projects aligned with EU priorities.

Website: https://eunik.org 

UNIVERSITAS is a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation dedicated to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and global collaboration within higher education. Rooted in a strong tradition of scholarly pursuit, UNIVERSITAS serves as a hub for students, educators, and researchers who are committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and addressing the pressing challenges of our time. With a focus on interdisciplinary learning, inclusivity, and international engagement, UNIVERSITAS continues to shape the future of education by nurturing talent and promoting lifelong learning on a global scale.