Safe Combat

04/06/2026

🛡️📄 SAFE COMBAT Action Guide now available

Knowing what to do in a safeguarding situation can make all the difference.

The SAFE COMBAT consortium has developed a practical Action Guide to help athletes, coaches, referees, volunteers, safeguarding officers and sport organisations respond appropriately when faced with concerns related to violence, abuse, harassment, bullying, discrimination or other safeguarding issues.

💡 The guide provides clear and practical actions for:
👀 Witnessing concerning behaviour or violence
🗣️ Experiencing violence, harassment or abuse
🤝 Taking responsibility after crossing boundaries or acting in a harmful way

At its core, the Action Guide reinforces a simple message: safeguarding is a shared responsibility. The culture we create depends on how we act, how we speak, how we respond and how we protect one another.

📥 Download the Action Guide and discover other SAFE COMBAT resources: https://safecombat.eu/action-guide/

Strong in spirit, safe in practice. 🥋🛡️


Sport Evolution Alliance WAKO Europe Kickboxing European Judo Union EJU Education Thomas More-hogeschool

27/05/2026

🛡️🥋 SAFE COMBAT Final Conference – Programme Released 🇵🇹

The agenda for the SAFE COMBAT Final Conference is now available!
📅 24 October 2026
📍 Portimão, Portugal
🕔 17:00 – 19:00

This final event will bring together experts, federations, safeguarding specialists and stakeholders from across Europe to discuss the future of safeguarding in Combat Sports & Martial Arts.

💡 Highlights of the programme include:
🎤 Keynote Address by Bruno Avelar Rosa
📘 Presentation of the SAFE COMBAT project outcomes
🏅 Delivery of the first SAFE COMBAT Certificates in Portugal
🗣️ Round Table: Safeguarding in Combat Sports – From Policy to Practice
🤝 Networking cocktail after the conference

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required: https://safecombat.eu/portfolio/final-conference/

👉 Secure your place and join the conversation on safer sport across Europe:

Together, we continue building safer, more inclusive and more responsible combat sport environments 🛡️🌍

Sport Evolution Alliance WAKO Europe Kickboxing EJU Education European Judo Union Thomas More-hogeschool

25/05/2026

🛡️🥋 SAFE COMBAT Final Conference

We are proud to announce the SAFE COMBAT Final Conference, taking place on:
📅 24 October 2026
📍 Portimão, Portugal
🕔 17:00 – 19:00

Under the theme “Creating Safer Environments in Combat Sports & Martial Arts”, this final event will bring together key stakeholders from across Europe to present the main outcomes of the SAFE COMBAT project and discuss the future of safeguarding in combat sports.

💡 The conference will showcase:
📘 Research findings
📜 The SAFE COMBAT Safeguarding Code
🏅 The club certification system
💻 The SAFE COMBAT online course (MOOC)
🤝 Good practices and future perspectives for safer sport

This event marks an important milestone in strengthening safeguarding, inclusion and athlete wellbeing across the combat sport community 🇪🇺🛡️

🔗 Register now: https://safecombat.eu/portfolio/final-conference/

🛡️
Sport Evolution Alliance WAKO Europe Kickboxing EJU Education European Judo Union Thomas More-hogeschool

22/05/2026

22/05/2026

🛡️🥋 SAFE COMBAT Implementation Meeting in Gijón, Spain 🇪🇸

The SAFE COMBAT consortium gathered in Gijón, Spain, on 20–21 May 2026 for an important implementation meeting focused on the next major steps of the project.

During these two productive days, partners finalised the last details of the upcoming SAFE COMBAT online course (MOOC) 💻🎓, which will provide practical safeguarding education for combat sports and martial arts organisations across Europe.

The consortium also advanced the final elements of the SAFE COMBAT club certification system 🏅, designed to support clubs in implementing concrete safeguarding standards and safer sport practices.

These discussions marked another important milestone in transforming safeguarding principles into practical tools and long-term impact for the combat sport community 🤝.

Together, we continue working towards safer, more inclusive and more responsible combat sports across Europe 🛡️🌍


Sport Evolution Alliance Thomas More-hogeschool WAKO Europe Kickboxing EJU Education European Judo Union

14/05/2026

🎙️🥋 SAFE COMBAT Podcast – Episode 4 is out now! 🛡️

Welcome back to the SAFE COMBAT podcast! In Episode 4, we focus on the upcoming SAFE COMBAT online course (MOOC), officially launching on 31 May 2026.

This episode explores how the MOOC was designed to provide practical safeguarding education for Combat Sports and Martial Arts clubs, coaches, safeguarding officers and organisations across Europe.

We unpack some of the key topics included in the course, such as:
🛡️ Safeguarding principles & safe sport culture
👥 Roles and responsibilities within clubs and organisations
📣 Reporting mechanisms & safeguarding procedures
🩺 Injury prevention, concussion awareness & safe practices
⚖️ Responsible weight-cutting management
🎓 Education tools to support long-term cultural change

This episode highlights how the SAFE COMBAT MOOC aims to transform safeguarding principles into practical knowledge and everyday action across the combat sport community.

🎧 Watch Episode 4 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FBNq3CeR0s

🔗 Learn more about the MOOC & SAFE COMBAT resources: www.safecombat.eu

🤖 Podcast generated by NotebookLM


European Judo Union EJU Education Sport Evolution Alliance WAKO Europe Kickboxing Thomas More-hogeschool

06/05/2026

🛡️🥋 SAFE COMBAT Poster now available for clubs

The SAFE COMBAT consortium has developed a practical Safeguarding Poster to support clubs and organisations in promoting safer environments in Combat Sports and Martial Arts.

This visual tool translates key safeguarding principles into clear, visible and everyday practices, helping clubs strengthen a culture of safety, respect and athlete wellbeing.

🌍 The poster is now available in 7 different languages, making it accessible across Europe.

👉 Download and use it in your club:
https://safecombat.eu/safecombat-poster/

By displaying this poster, clubs take a concrete step towards making safeguarding part of their daily practice.

Strong in spirit, safe in practice 🛡️


Sport Evolution Alliance EJU Education European Judo Union WAKO Europe Kickboxing Thomas More-hogeschool

27/04/2026

🛡️🥋 SAVE THE DATE – SAFE COMBAT Final Conference

We are pleased to announce the SAFE COMBAT Final Conference, taking place on:
📅 24 October 2026
📍 Portimão, Portugal

This final event will bring together key stakeholders from across Europe to share the main results of the SAFE COMBAT project and discuss the future of safeguarding in Combat Sports and Martial Arts.

From research insights to practical tools — including the Safeguarding Code, certification system and educational resources — this conference will mark an important milestone in promoting safer, more inclusive sport environments across Europe.

🤝 Join us in continuing the journey towards safer sport.

🔗 More information coming soon: www.safecombat.eu

🛡️
Sport Evolution Alliance WAKO Europe Kickboxing European Judo Union EJU Education Thomas More-hogeschool

21/04/2026

🛡️🥋 The European Judo Union continues to demonstrate strong leadership and commitment to safeguarding in sport across Europe.

As part of this effort, the EJU Safeguarding Group is organising an online meeting on:

📅 22 April 2026
🕟 16:30 – 18:00 CET
💻 Online (Zoom)

💡 A key focus of this session will be the progress of the SAFE COMBAT project, including updates on the upcoming certification and how its tools are supporting safer environments in combat sports.

Additional topics include:
• Exchange on the EJU safeguarding policy and expectations
• Insights from the IOC course Safeguarding Officer in Sport
• Engaging parents as key partners in safeguarding
• Open discussion and shared experiences

Through initiatives like SAFE COMBAT, the EJU reinforces its role in driving forward practical solutions, collaboration and long-term impact in safeguarding across the judo community 🤝.

🔗 More information:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82587595245?pwd=iOktdWMFVIEkcLy4mjXFZ5wa9ZnRG7.1

📌 Upcoming dates:
• 3 July 2026 – Online Safeguarding Summit
• 26 August 2026 – Safeguarding Meeting
• 25 November 2026 – Safeguarding Meeting


European Judo Union EJU Education WAKO Europe Kickboxing Sport Evolution Alliance Moore

18/04/2026

🥋🛡️ As Europe’s top judoka step on the tatami in Tbilisi, the European Judo Union is also leading change off the mat through the SAFE COMBAT project.

Funded by Erasmus+, SAFE COMBAT aims to prevent violence, abuse and discrimination in combat sports and martial arts, creating safer environments for athletes at all levels.

💡 Concrete tools are already available online:
📘 Research report on safeguarding in combat sports
📜 A dedicated Safeguarding Code
🪧 Awareness materials
🎧 Podcasts & educational resources

And much more to come.

These outputs are designed to support clubs, coaches, volunteers and organisations in building a culture of respect, inclusion and athlete wellbeing 🤝.

Now is the time to take action and implement safeguarding in your daily practice.
Strong in spirit, safe in practice 🛡

🔗 Learn more: https://safecombat.eu


WAKO Europe Kickboxing European Judo Union Thomas More-hogeschool Sport Evolution Alliance EJU Education