EOSE - European Observatoire of Sport and Employment

What EOSE - European Observatoire of Sport and Employment does

EOSE — European Observatoire of Sport and Employment is a non-profit civil society membership association founded in 2002 and headquartered in Lyon, France. It functions as a pan-European observatory on sport workforce development, positioning itself at the intersection of sport, education, and employment policy. Its core activities include coordinating EU-funded projects (predominantly under Erasmus+ Sport and successor programmes), publishing pan-European labour market intelligence on the sport sector across 32 countries (notably through the Sport Employment Monitor), and developing methodologies and tools such as the proprietary EOSE 7 Step Model to support workforce planning, qualification framework development, and skills recognition. Its member base of 37 organisations spans national sport federations, universities, ministries, and sectoral bodies across Europe.

EOSE's products are intellectual rather than technological: methodologies, toolkits, policy briefs, and reports generated through EU-funded consortia — recent examples include the WINS Toolkit (March 2024, gender equity in coaching), V4V Tools (March 2024), REACH (2025), IN-FORMS (2025), REFS (2025), EVGC (2025), TechSportKit (April 2026, digital tools and AI in the sport workforce), and SKILLS4CHANGE (May 2026, Sport for Development). The organisation does not build or license commercial software products; rather, its deliverables serve as open or semi-open resources distributed through its member network and EU dissemination channels. Partners across recent projects include Leeds Beckett University, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, LUNEX University, FNPSL, Palacký University, Sports University of Tirana, WADA, CEV (European Volleyball), and CPG (Confederation of Professional Golf).

The business model is a hybrid non-profit structure. Substantive revenue derives from EU project grants — typically as a consortium partner on Erasmus+ Sport tenders — supplemented by membership contributions from the 37 member organisations and in-kind contributions from institutional partners. EOSE monetises its expertise through project-based consulting, convening, and content production rather than through product licensing or fee-for-service contracts. Leadership comprises a four-person operational team headed by Executive Director Aurélien Favre, supported by Projects & Research Coordinator Wojciech Waśniewski and a newly appointed Director of Standards (Ben Gittus), with governance provided by a six-member Executive Board.

Name

EOSE - European Observatoire of Sport and Employment

Legal name

European Observatoire of Sport and Employment

Website

https://eose.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EOSE is a Lyon-based non-profit association, founded in 2002, that serves as a pan-European observatory on sport workforce development, coordinating EU-funded Erasmus+ projects and publishing labour market intelligence across 32 countries for sport federations, universities, and ministries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. EU Project Funding: EOSE operates primarily through EU-funded projects under the Erasmus+ Sport programme. The organization coordinates and participates in transnational European projects since 2002, funded by European Commission grants.
2. Membership Contributions: EOSE operates as a civil society membership association with 37 member organizations (as of 2026). Members include National Expert Organisations, International/European Organisations (via MoU), and individual experts.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EOSE is an international non-profit civil society membership association that conducts labour market research and workforce analysis for the European sport and physical activity sector. It coordinates and participates in EU-funded Erasmus+ Sport projects, develops standards, tools and frameworks for sport professions, and produces publications such as Labour Market Statistics and Annual Activity Reports. The organisation acts as a facilitator bridging education and employment in sport, providing access to a network of 37 member organisations across Europe.

Product overview

EOSE (European Observatoire of Sport and Employment) is an international non-profit civil society membership association founded in 2002, headquartered in Lyon, France, focused on research and workforce development in the sport and physical activity sector. EOSE's offerings consist primarily of research publications, European collaborative projects, and practical tools. Key products include Annual Activity Reports and Labour Market Statistics for the sport sector in Europe, the bi-monthly EOSE Newsletters, and various project outputs such as the V4V Sport Volunteering Tools, WINS Women Sport Officials Toolkit, and SKILLS4CHANGE Training Platform. EOSE functions as both a research organization and project coordinator, supporting and developing transnational European projects focused on sport employment, workforce skills, volunteering, and inclusion since 2002.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Labour Market Statistics Research product where EOSE gathers, analyses, and presents labour market statistics for the European sport sector, including national fact sheets and employment data covering 1.6 million people working in sport in the EU.
• V4V Sport Volunteering Tools Innovative online tools for sport organisations and volunteers aimed at improving recruitment, management, and retention of sport volunteers, addressing skills acquired through volunteering.
• WINS Women Sport Officials Toolkit Interactive online toolkit for the recruitment and retention of women sport officials, addressing gender equity in sport officiating across European sports.
• SKILLS4CHANGE Training Platform Freely available, online, multi-lingual training courses for Sport for Development practitioners, developed based on survey-identified training priorities across Europe.
• SIGGS 3.0 Governance Tool Self-evaluation tool designed to help sport organisations self-assess and improve their governance practices, developed in partnership with the EOC EU Office.
• PVGW2.0 Coaching Guide Innovative coaching methodology and guide for teachers and coaches to introduce volleyball to children aged 6-14, developed through the European Volleyball Confederation PVGW2.0 project.
• European Projects Coordination Service offering where EOSE acts as coordinator or active partner in EU-funded Erasmus+ Sport projects addressing workforce development, volunteering, gender equity, governance, and inclusion in the European sport sector.
• IN-FORMS Research Reports Research reports and policy recommendations addressing challenges in sport employment and identifying potential solutions for strengthening sport employment in Europe.

Named customers8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SKILLS4CHANGE PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026EOSE is a partner in this EU-funded project including SportMalta, Athletes Inspire Children (AIC), International Platform on Sport and Development (ISCA), International Table Tennis Federation Foundation (ITTFF), Palacký University Olomouc, Play International, Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI), and Johan Cruyff Foundation (JCF). Project focuses on training needs in Sport for Development.
• TechSportKit PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026EOSE leads research activities in this 3-year EU project examining how new technologies including digital tools and AI affect sport organisations, employment roles and skills needs. Partners include Warsaw University of Technology and UNEFS Bucharest.
• EmpowHER Volleyball Game Changer (EVGC) PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Third collaboration between EOSE and CEV focusing on gender equality in volleyball leadership and decision-making. Project involves EOC EU Office and national volleyball federations from Albania, Georgia, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, and Sweden.
• REACH PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 202512-organization partnership led by TAFISA focused on reshaping engagement, advocacy, and capacity-building for youth in Sport for All. EOSE responsible for Communication, Dissemination and Impact Measurement Plan.
• World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024EOSE collaborated with WADA through the EU-funded Erasmus+ project GLDF4CleanSport to advance the professionalization of anti-doping work. EOSE provided expertise to support development of the Global Learning and Development Framework (GLDF) for clean sport.
• European Volleyball Confederation (CEV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023EOSE has partnered with CEV on PVGW (Play Volleyball – Grow with It) and PVGW2.0 projects, analyzing innovative educational outputs and consulting on new volleyball coaching methodology for teachers and coaches working with children aged 6-14.
• Leeds Beckett UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing network member (over 10 years) contributing to European projects encouraging cross-border collaboration, learning and knowledge exchange in sport education.
• Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through EDUGOLF project where EOSE applied its 7 Step Model to update and develop new standards and modernise education for golf professionals.
• Estonian Foundation of Sports Education and InformationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of EOSE and partner in V4V Erasmus+ project (Skills acquired through volunteering in sport). Very inspired by EOSE team coordination and organizational skills.
• Universidad Politécnica de MadridcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year partnership providing Spanish sport employment data and perspectives. Member organization contributing to understanding of European sport labour market demands.
• LUNEX UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of EOSE contributing to European projects led by EOSE, including projects on unveiling new forms of employment in sport. Collaborates on sport sector recognition initiatives.
• Fédération Nationale Profession Sport et Loisirs (FNPSL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember for 2 years, participating in first Erasmus+ project under EOSE leadership. Benefits include exchanges with European partners and access to EOSE research on sport employment.
• Palacký University OlomouccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of EOSE with one-year experience participating in Annual Members' Seminar, General Assembly, and Capacity Building Workshop on micro-credentials.
• Sports University of TiranacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of EOSE benefiting from education based on learning outcomes referring to society needs and job market requirements.
• IN-FORMS PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEOSE participates in this project focused on innovative employment in sport, releasing policy recommendations to strengthen sport employment in Europe.
• REFS PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year Erasmus+ Sport initiative focused on recruitment and retention of young sport officials through European surveys and advocacy.
• GLDF4CleanSport PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded Erasmus+ project on anti-doping education and professionalization, successfully concluded with all outputs available.
• PVGW2.0 PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEOSE is partner in this 3-year Erasmus+ project coordinated by CEV, developing innovative approach to support teachers and coaches in introducing volleyball to children aged 6-14. Partners include national volleyball federations of Austria, Iceland, Ireland, Romania, German Sport University Cologne, and Macedonian Society of Penology.
• V4V PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner13-partner Erasmus+ Sport project (Analysing and Making Visible the Skills Acquired Through Sport Volunteering in Europe) coordinated by EOSE. Produced groundbreaking research report and innovative tools for sport volunteering. First ever European Sport Volunteering Summit organized in Budapest.
• WINS PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner3-year EU project addressing gender equity in sport officiating. Partners include European Observatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE), International Federation for Sports Officials (IFSO), Association Française du Corps Arbitral Multisports (AFCAM), Sports Officials UK (SOUK), European Athletics, European Hockey Federation (EHF), Dutch Olympic Committee * Dutch Sports Federation (NOC*NSF), University of Portsmouth, National Sports Academy Vassil Levski (NSA).
• Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined EOSE as a new member in early 2026, bringing expertise in sport sciences from Norway.
• Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SFISM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined EOSE as a new member in May 2026, expanding the network's representation from Switzerland.
• EOC EU OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEOSE participated in SIGGS 3.0 launch organized by EOC EU Office. Partnership involves good governance in European sport through the Sport Governance Platform.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EUPEA - European Physical Education Association: European-level association representing physical education professionals. Closely comparable mission — building bridges between sport education, training, and workforce competence across Europe — with a parallel membership and EU-project-driven operating model.
• ENGSO - European Non-Governmental Sport Organisation: European sport umbrella NGO representing grassroots sport interests to EU institutions. Operates a very similar European-level advocacy, project, and membership model targeting the same sport policy ecosystem as EOSE.
• EOC EU Office - European Olympic Committees EU Office: EU-facing office of the European Olympic movement. Partners with EOSE on SIGGS 3.0 governance tool; similar Brussels-facing sport policy and EU project coordination role, though with a stronger federation/competition focus.
• ICSPE - International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education: UNESCO-affiliated global NGO for sport science and PE. Directly comparable mission promoting sport workforce competence and education through international cooperation and policy work.
• ISCA - International Sport and Culture Association: Global non-profit network promoting accessible sport and physical activity, coordinating EU projects. Functions as a direct structural peer — same membership model, same EU-project-driven GTM, same sport-for-development positioning. EOSE is a partner on the SKILLS4CHANGE project led in part by ISCA.
• TAFISA - The Association for International Sport for All: Global non-profit association promoting Sport for All. Directly comparable as a membership-based sport NGO coordinating international projects; EOSE is even a REACH project partner led by TAFISA.

Emerging players

• Sport and Citizenship: European think tank on sport policy and societal impact. Comparable as a Brussels-based sport-focused civil society organisation producing research and policy outputs, though narrower in workforce-development scope than EOSE.
• IFSO - International Federation of Sports Officials: Smaller, niche global federation for sport officials. EOSE is a partner with IFSO on the WINS project; overlapping in scope on workforce professionalisation in a specific sport segment (officials), and competes for some of the same project partnership slots.
• Active Citizens Partnership: European non-profit supporting civil society through sport and physical activity. Adjacent player with similar EU-project coordination model and Erasmus+ footprint, overlapping with EOSE in the sport-for-development segment.

Broad incumbents

• WADA - World Anti-Doping Agency: Larger, established global sport governance body. EOSE is a project partner to WADA on GLDF4CleanSport; comparable as a policy-and-standards-setter in sport, but at a far broader global mandate and resource scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/european-observatoire-of-sport-and-employment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about EOSE - European Observatoire of Sport and Employment