European Lotteries joins ESNGO for sport integrity program aimed at young people

The European Lotteries (EL) and the European Sports NGO announced Thursday, in a joint effort to promote values-based sport, the launch of the Erasmus+ co-funded "Young Integrity Ambassadors Programme" (YIAP) within the framework of the 2022 European Week of Sport. 

As a collaboration between eight European sports organizations, this new initiative aims to empower young people to become sport integrity ambassadors in their communities and actively promote actions at local levels, "fostering active participation in sport as well as building a culture of integrity within the European grassroots sport community."

Over 30 young volunteers and athletes have the opportunity "to engage and create momentum within the European sport community" with this initiative, said EL, the European umbrella organization of national lotteries operating games of chance.

Ugne Chmeliauskaite, Chair of ENGSO Youth and athlete for the Lithuanian National Field hockey team, stated: ''Cooperation and collaboration is a must, working together and including stakeholders from all levels - from local sports clubs and national federations to sports managers and professional athletes."

During the dedicated seminar "#BeActive for Sport Integrity" on 29 September 2022 in Brussels, speakers highlighted the importance of youth, inclusion and integrity. Keynote speaker Paul Standaert, Secretary, Panathlon International EU Brussels and Board member, Belgian Gymnastics, explained at the meeting that the promotion of a healthy lifestyle linked to the development of human values was the ultimate goal of these efforts.

"From the very start of the European Week of Sport, Panathlon has been engaged in a partnership with the European Commission to help promote the #Beactive campaign within its network. Panathlon clubs continue to organize various activities that aim at promoting ethical values among young people," Standaert noted.

During the #EuropeanWeekofSport @EuropeLotteries & @ENGSOsport stand united in common values & continue to strengthen our collaboration for sport integrity👏

Today we launch the Youth Integrity Ambassadors Programme @ENGSOsport @EngsoYouth➡️https://t.co/aJj4x9GtZM #BeActive pic.twitter.com/ML5uRQUYDn

— European Lotteries (@EuropeLotteries) September 29, 2022

Olivier Alsteens, COO of the Loterie Nationale Loterij in Belgium, added: ''Supporting sport and sharing in the same values - responsibility and integrity - is in the DNA of lotteries."

EL highlighted that through access to all sports, from local projects to facilitate integration between communities to inspiring young athletes to participate in team sports, "lotteries work for the benefit of society and continue to support sports communities to promote fair play, integrity and transparency." 

"By sharing the same core values of responsibility, sustainability and integrity, ENGSO and EL continue to strengthen their collaboration for sport integrity. EL supports the partnership with ENGSO with its extensive experience in working with the topic of integrity, especially in the field of sport," EL stated in a press release.