Meet the partners through CHANGE project: OPES APS
December 2023
In the vibrant landscape of Italian sports, the Italian Organization for Sport and Education (OPES) stands as a stalwart advocate for the power of sports in promoting education, values, and social inclusion.
Can you provide an overview of OPES and its main objectives?
OPES, established in 1980, is a vital sports promotion organization in Italy. Their core mission is to harness the power of sports to promote education, values, and social inclusion, particularly among vulnerable groups. They do this by supporting OPES members, which are sports clubs across Italy.
Who are the primary stakeholders and partners of OPES?
OPES primarily collaborates with sports clubs, particularly at the grassroots level, recognizing the unique needs of these diverse clubs. They also partner with schools, universities and work to leverage diverse resources to enhance their effectiveness. Their focus extends beyond professionals to promote healthy lifestyles.
What are the key areas of focus for OPES and the programs they implement?
OPES operates on international, national, and local levels, offering a wide range of training programs tailored to different sports clubs’ needs. They also organize events like the Roma Sports Experience to raise awareness about sports. Communication is a key component, with online magazines and blogs discussing both sports and their societal impact.
What services does OPES provide, especially related to education and training?
OPES is deeply committed to developing educational programs, not just in Italy but also internationally. They bridge local and European levels to facilitate knowledge sharing. They offer training programs for coaches, referees, and sports managers, helping clubs keep up with industry trends. This includes translating content, assisting with complex bureaucratic processes and supporting knowledge and access to European funding opportunities.
Can you tell us about the structure and people within OPES?
OPES is headquartered in Rome and comprises multiple departments such as the International and National ones, among others. Each department has multiple divisions. They also provide opportunities for interns, contributing to the development of young talents in the sports industry.
What role does OPES play in the CHANGE project, and what are their contributions so far?
OPES is a crucial part of Work Package 5 in the CHANGE project, where they focus on the implementation strategy. They gather practical feedback from partners and sports clubs, incorporating grassroots-level insights into the project. This approach results in a dynamic ‘living’ document that evolves throughout the project, aiming to serve as a replicable tool for other organizations.
Could you highlight some of the specific outcomes and objectives OPES hopes to achieve through their involvement in the CHANGE project?
OPES aims to provide tangible, impactful results for their partners and sports clubs. These outcomes include strengthening relationships, enhancing governance, identifying valuable resources, and offering genuine support to sports clubs. Their work also involves assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports clubs and comparing it with the previous CHAMP project.
OPES stands as a champion for using sports as a vehicle for education and social inclusion. Their role in the CHANGE project signifies their commitment to making a real difference at the grassroots level, advancing sports clubs, and contributing to positive societal change.
- European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO) – Sweden
- Malmö University (MAU) – Sweden
- N3xt sports – Spain
- European Association for Sport management (EASM) – The Netherlands
- Organizzazione Per l’Educazione allo Sport (OPES) – Italy
- Latvian Sports Federations Council (LSFC) – Latvia
- World Snowboard Federation (WSF) – Austria
- Union of sports Federations in Catalunya (UFEC) – Spain
- Basics sports club (Basics) – Belgium
- Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) – Switzerland
- The National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF) – Denmark