Background

Women athletes across Europe face systemic discrimination that forces them to choose between pursuing their sports careers and embracing motherhood. Discriminatory contractual clauses, insufficient support structures, and pervasive social stereotypes create an environment where the dual identity of athlete and mother is undervalued, leading to significant setbacks. Addressing these challenges is crucial not only for the well-being of individual athletes but also for fostering a more inclusive, equitable sports culture across the EU.

The project

The MAMA project has been launched as a transnational initiative uniting partners from eight countries to drive change in the sports sector. The project builds on a thorough understanding of the landscape, documenting the barriers women face in balancing sports and motherhood. Central to MAMA is the development of an innovative capacity-building program offering tailored training modules. These modules will empower women athletes with the knowledge to navigate the challenges of balancing their careers and motherhood, while also informing sports organizations and stakeholders about these issues and how to implement maternity-friendly practices and support structures. In parallel, the project aims to formulate clear policy recommendations to guide sports organizations in embedding inclusive measures into their operational frameworks.

Ultimately, the MAMA project envisions a future where the dual identity of athlete and mother is seen as complementary rather than conflicting. By fostering a cultural shift through research, capacity building, and targeted awareness campaigns, MAMA paves the way for a more inclusive, equitable, and supportive sports ecosystem across the EU.

What we aim to achieve:

• To better understand the existing landscape around maternity and sports through the development of a best practices report, documenting effective maternity support models and structures which can serve as a baseline for what works across different contexts.
• To identify key stakeholder needs and knowledge gaps through localized needs assessments, which will involve targeted surveys with women athletes to capture their needs at various levels (e.g., psychological, legal, etc.). These surveys will be complemented by semi-structured interviews with sports officials, governmental and regional stakeholders.
• To support identified needs, improve knowledge gaps, and enhance capacity through an e-learning program which will equip women athletes, coaches, sports organizations, and other relevant stakeholders with the necessary tools and knowledge.
• To establish a policy recommendations framework that synthesizes insights from the best practices report, needs assessments, and e-learning platform. This framework will provide actionable recommendations for integrating maternity protection provisions within sports organizations, academies, federations, clubs, governmental, and other relevant authorities.
• To raise awareness and make an impact through targeted dissemination and awareness campaigns (i.e., multiplier events), utilizing seminars/events and digital communication tools, changing perceptions and promoting an inclusive culture in sports for women.

MAMA at a glance:

• Evidence-based analysis on maternity in sports
• Identification of European best practices
• Knowledge Base and Best Practices Report
• E-learning Capacity Building Program
• Pilot training for women athletes and sports stakeholders
• Policy Recommendations Framework
• International Women’s Day 2027 multiplier events in each partner country