PlayForward

Social, ecological and digital transformation also presents new challenges for the sports industry. Future professionals should be able to rethink sport events – whether local or global – and plan and organise them in a socially and ecologically responsible way using digital technologies. Moreover, sport should be seen and used as an instrument of social cohesion that promotes democratic values and civic participation across nations and beyond conflicts.

What competencies should a modern Sport Manager possess, and how can these be taught most effectively? PlayForward aims to modernise the competence profile of the contemporary Sport Manager and to design and pilot an innovative educational concept for the qualification of future professionals – Sustainability Manager in Sport – in the sports industry. Sustainability is understood as an overarching concept encompassing social, environmental, and economic dimensions. This includes the use of AI-powered solutions throughout the entire sport event lifecycle, the assessment of environmental impact, and the involvement of local communities, non-governmental organisations and citizens in various sport initiatives.

The course “Sustainability Manager in Sport” will be developed jointly by the PlayForward partners as a stackable microcredential of 10–12 ECTS. It is primarily aimed at higher education students from related disciplines such as sport, marketing, event, and business management who wish to acquire an additional qualification alongside their current studies. Moreover, the new learning offer is suitable for professionals from the sports industry who wish to expand their knowledge and competences with innovative learning content.

To make the study programme engaging and practice-oriented, the new microcredential will be based on an innovative three-stage pedagogical model. It consists of a theatrebased online module, a job shadowing in an international sports organisation and a service-learning activity with a local sport provider. This approach aims to make the central theme of sport tangible from different perspectives and to contribute to the promotion of a democratic and participatory society.