Organized by ADP Zid as part of the Genball project—”Gender Equality as a New Force in Sport”—the event was funded by the EU through the Erasmus+ Sports program, with additional support from the Ministry of Public Administration of Montenegro. Partner organizations included FK Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, FK Breznica Pljevlja, and PEL from North Macedonia.
The event brought together representatives from sports institutions, gender equality advocates, athletes, and key decision-makers. Its primary goal was to promote greater participation of women and girls in sports while fostering public dialogue on creating an environment that supports their active involvement, both as athletes and in leadership roles within sports organizations. The emphasis was placed on ensuring women’s equal representation, not only as competitors but also in decision-making processes, and in leading clubs and organizations.
Opening remarks were delivered by Sanda Rakočević, Executive Director of ADP Zid, Dragoslav Šćekić, Minister of Sports and Youth of Montenegro, Sandra Sremčević from the Football Association of Serbia, Igor Kostić from FK Crvena Zvezda, Zoran Vuković of FK Breznica Pljevlja, and Ljiljana Gogić, representative of the National Erasmus+ Office in Montenegro.
Panel discussions highlighted the experiences of women in sports, particularly in football, with panelists sharing their personal stories and the challenges they’ve encountered. The conversations also explored strategies for increasing women’s representation in leadership roles within sports organizations, further advancing gender equality and strengthening their influence across all levels.
The Genball project’s outcomes, aimed at promoting sustainable models of informal education to enhance gender equality in sports, were also presented, along with recommendations for future initiatives. The event’s conclusions underscored the ongoing need to encourage the active participation of women and girls in sports, not only as athletes but also within leadership structures.
