Beyond Competition: Values, Safeguarding and Friendship at EYOF Skopje 2025

From July 20 to 26, the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) 2025 in Skopje brought together nearly 4,000 athletes from 48 countries for a celebration of sport and culture that went far beyond competition. Alongside thrilling performances in 15 disciplines, the Festival offered a vibrant stage for Olympic values, innovative safeguarding measures and international friendship. Educational programmes and pioneering initiatives once again highlighted that the EYOF is not only about sporting excellence but also about fostering a safe and inspiring environment for Europe’s young generation. Through our trusted partner IGNITX, the safeguarding vision of the BESST project was brought to life in Skopje on an unprecedented scale, building on the first steps taken in Bakuriani. Implemented with outstanding professionalism and depth, it sent a strong signal that youth sport in Europe must always be safe, inclusive and inspiring.

Sporting Highlights and Atmosphere

The opening ceremony at the Jane Sandanski Sports Centre set the tone for the week, as delegations from across Europe were cheered on by thousands of spectators. The official mascot, Shiny, quickly became the star of the show with boundless energy and unforgettable dance moves.

With temperatures climbing as high as 41 degrees, organisers adapted the schedule by moving several competitions to the cooler evening and night hours. Far from being a drawback, this created electric atmospheres under the floodlights. At the 3 x 3 basketball courts, spectators packed the stands and surrounded the court, cheering with drums and songs late into the night. Equally memorable was the canoe slalom at Matka Canyon, where athletes competed against the dramatic backdrop of rocks and rushing water – for many, one of the most striking venues of the entire Festival.

As a stepping stone for the next generation of Olympians, the EYOF once again provided athletes with invaluable first international competition experience. In Skopje, the blend of passionate fans, world-class venues, smooth organisation and strong opponents from across Europe offered an environment where young athletes could not only test their sporting skills but also truly experience the unique spirit of competing on an international stage.

The EYOA Programme – Education Beyond Competition

As in every edition of the EYOF, the European Young Olympic Ambassadors (EYOA) delivered an engaging programme of activities that brought Olympic values to life. In Skopje, a team of 27 ambassadors, supported by seven alumni, inspired athletes through cultural exchanges and interactive workshops in the Festival Village.

Interactive team games such as the Fröbel Tower challenged participants to practise patience, coordination and teamwork. The popular “Chat with Champions” sessions created unique opportunities to meet Olympic athletes, ask questions, and reflect on life beyond the field of play. A particular highlight was the now well-known Safe Sport quiz “Myth or Fact”, which once again proved to be a favourite among athletes. Playfully debunking common misconceptions, it helped raise awareness for safeguarding and encouraged open dialogue on safety in sport.

“These activities gave athletes a space to experience values such as respect, friendship and fair play in an accessible and joyful way,” reflected Henning Kunkel, who supported the programme on behalf of both the German and European Olympic Academies (EOA). Further information on the EYOA programme and the team can be found on the EYOA programme page.

Safeguarding at the Heart of the Festival

For the first time on a stage of this scale, a comprehensive safeguarding framework was fully integrated into the EYOF. Drawing on the insights of our Erasmus+ project BESST (Building European Safe Sport Together) and building on the first experiences gained at the Winter EYOF in Bakuriani, the approach was further refined and expanded through a close partnership between the European Olympic Committees and IGNITX, setting new standards for (youth) sport events in Europe.

This collaboration ensured that safeguarding was embedded across all levels of the Festival: tailored Codes of Conduct were signed by athletes, staff and officials; dedicated training sessions prepared volunteers and team members; and the ISAY platform provided a secure and confidential channel to raise concerns. A safeguarding unit on site further guaranteed that every report could be handled sensitively and in line with international best practice.

By embedding safeguarding into the very fabric of the Festival, EYOF Skopje showed how the lessons of BESST can be translated into practice, creating an environment where Europe’s young athletes compete not only in inspiring international settings, but also in conditions that are safe, inclusive and protective of their well-being.

Farewell to Henning Kunkel

The EOA were represented in Skopje through the contribution of Henning Kunkel, Education Officer of the German Olympic Academy, who supported the delivery of the EYOA programme and promoted the integration of educational and safeguarding perspectives throughout the week. His reflections captured the essence of the Festival:

“The EYOF in Skopje was sporting excellence, a unique atmosphere and inspiring human encounters – a true European Olympic summer fairy tale.”

This event also marked Henning’s final mission in his role with the German Olympic Academy. The EOA express their sincere gratitude for his dedicated commitment to Olympic education over the past years and wish him every success as he embarks on his next chapter in Stockholm, Sweden.