Meet the partners through CHANGE project: LSFP

December 2023

In the realm of sports governance and development, the Latvian Sports Federations Council (LSFP) holds a pivotal role, overseeing numerous sports federations and contributing to the growth and modernization of sports organizations.

What is the Latvian Sports Federations Council, and what are its primary responsibilities?

The Latvian Sports Federations Council is a non-governmental umbrella organization overseeing 954 sports federations in Latvia. The majority of its responsibilities are delegated by the Ministry of Education and Science sports department. The council’s duties encompass recognizing and monitoring national sports federations, assisting in their operations and development, ensuring regulatory compliance, promoting and organizing sports events, taking part in Erasmus+ projects, coordinating European Week of Sport in Latvia, certifying sports professionals (coaches) and recognising foreign professional qualifications in Latvia, and participating in policy-making decisions.

How does the council support sports federations in Latvia?

The Latvian Sports Federations Council supports federations by recognizing them, offering assistance in their development, and ensuring they comply with regulations. Assisting in internal and external disputes, contributing to strengthening of their capacity, and representing and implementing their common interests.

 Could you explain the structure of the Latvian Sports Federations Council?

The council consists of a core team of eight permanent employees responsible for technical tasks. Notably, they do not collaborate with volunteers. In addition to the staff, the council includes a board and various commissions comprising experts from different areas, including national sports federations and the government.

How is the Latvian Sports Federations Council involved in the CHANGE Project?

Although the council is not leading any work package of the CHANGE Project, they contribute significantly in various ways. They participate in meetings, provide continuous feedback, assist partners with work packages, and review research findings. The council organizes workshops with sports federations to discuss challenges and solutions for various work packages.

Can you tell us about the upcoming workshop scheduled for May 12th and its goals?

The aim of the workshop is to understand the main challenges faced by sports federations and anticipate future obstacles. This understanding benefits both the federations and umbrella organizations by comprehending challenges on a broader scale. The workshop will explore strategies for securing more funding from the government and private sponsors. Expected outcomes include clear guidelines, digital tools, and cost reduction strategies.

What is the council’s vision for its involvement in the CHANGE Project?

The council is eager to learn from experiences of experts and federations from other countries involved in the project. They aim to better contribute to the funding of federations and facilitate goal achievement.

In essence, the Latvian Sports Federations Council plays a pivotal role in Latvian sports, supporting and guiding sports federations and actively participating in initiatives like the CHANGE Project. Their commitment to understanding challenges and finding innovative solutions showcases their dedication to the growth and modernization of sports organizations in Latvia and beyond.