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Safe Combat is an Erasmus+ project in which the European Judo Union has taken on the role of coordinator, securing that all the activities and resources are in place to ensure, together with the partners, that the objective set is achieved.
This project was set to foster safer sports environments for athletes in various combat sports and martial arts (CS&MA) and enhance their development and well-being. This will be achieved by creating safeguarding codes, specialised training, and certification for CS&MA organisations across the EU. SAFE-COMBAT aims to prevent violence, abuse and discrimination in grassroots sports, promoting inclusivity and protection for all participants. The following organisations had taken matters as their own as they seek to ensure that they meet the objectives of the programme:
- European Judo Union – EJU
- Sport Evaluation Alliance CRL – SEA
- WAKO European Kickboxing Federation – WAKO EU
- Karate Federation of North Macedonia – KFRSM
- Thomas More University Antwerp – TMU
- Sport Innovation Hub SL – SIH
The program lasts for a period of two years. Currently, the project is at a research level and with that Ljubljana hosted the latest meeting between 17-18 February 2025. Katja Prodan, EJU Erasmus+ project leader, explained in more details of the gathering in Ljubljana;
The meeting in Slovenia began with a warm welcome and introductions from our consortium members, setting the stage for productive discussions. Throughout the sessions, partners engaged in key areas of the project, from coordination and research to implementation, certification and dissemination. Open discussions and Q&A sessions ensured that everyone shared a clear vision for the project’s direction.
On the second day, we focused on defining the next steps, strengthening communication, and addressing financial aspects to facilitate smooth execution. Beyond the formal agenda, the event fostered valuable networking and collaboration, including a city walk through Ljubljana that further strengthened our connections.
This project is of great importance as it aims to enhance safety standards and best practices in combat sports, ensuring athletes, coaches, and organizations have access to high-quality resources and guidelines. By bringing together experts from various fields, SAFE COMBAT will contribute to the development of safer training environments, improved education, and a more structured approach to injury prevention in combat sports.
With this successful kick-off meeting, the SAFE COMBAT programme is now fully underway and partners are looking forward to the exciting developments that lie ahead in the field of safe combat sports. Read more about this Erasmus+ project via the following link and how it seeks to protect athletes, raise standards and strengthen the future.
Author: Szandra Szogedi