European GOALS project launched to create tools on sustainability

ESSMA will participate in the project GOALS (Governance-Oriented Actions Levering on environment for Sustainability), as part of the Erasmus+ programme. The project will create awareness, tools and best practices on the domain of sustainability, both on a governance and operational level.

The organisational governance activities will be focused on the improvement of environmental governance of participating National Football Associations (NFAs). On the contrary, operational governance will involve football clubs and will be focused mainly on environmental footprint. One of the major activities within the programme will be the development of an environmental footprint calculator, which will assess possible environmental improvements.

We are excited to collaborate on the entire project. We are convinced there will be tangible outcomes for our members, especially the environmental footprint calculator. Together we build towards a more sustainable stadium management.

John Beattie, ESSMA President

The project was approved by the European Commission at the end of October 2020 and kicked-off in January 2021. Within a duration of 30 months the programme will run to June 2023. ESSMA will work together with following partners:

  • Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (Project Coordinators)
  • Portugal Football Federation
  • Real Betis Balompié Foundation
  • Romanian Football Federation
  • Football Federation of Kosovo

The project have ambitious objectives” said Tiberio Daddi Project Coordinator of GOALS and researcher at the Institute of Management of S.Anna School of Advanced Studies “the key activities aim to improve the environmental governance in the participating organisations as well as to increase the awareness about the environmental impact of football. Tools to facilitate the calculation of environmental footprint of football matches will be an asset!”

We will keep you updated on the progress and results of the project!


Posted on 25/02/2021 in: