LSU institutional roadmap

Lithuanian Sports University

The SUPPORTER project aims to foster gender-related, sustainable, and transformative institutional changes in sports higher education institutions paying specific attention to the challenge of gender-based violence and leading to the development of inclusive, innovative, intersectional and impactful gender equality plans (4I-GEPs).

The transformation of existing institutional GEPs into 4I-GEPs is achieved through the co-design and implementation of individual roadmaps, tailored to the needs of each implementing organisation.

Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) roadmap encompasses a set of Grounding Actions (GAs) to be implemented from March 2024 to June 2025. These actions address mandatory and recommended thematic GEP elements (Horizon Europe Guidance on Gender Equality Plans) under-addressed in their existing institutional GEP. A series of critical challenges, including engagement and participation barriers in implementing the roadmaps, resource limitations and organisational resistance, have been identified, alongside measures to effectively address them.

Learn more about the development of the roadmaps

About the Lithuanian Sports University (LSU)

The Lithuanian Sports University is a specialized public higher education institution known as a leading academic and research centre in sports science in the Baltic Sea region with around 1,450 students. The LSU offers study programmes for the three educational degrees, mainly in sports science, where theory, research and practice are closely interconnected.

LSU Equal Opportunities Policy and its Implementation Arrangements (EOPIA) at Lithuanian Sports University have been prepared by the Human Resources and Strategic Management Division. He was published on the 19th of November 2018 and shared with the LSU community through the rectorate here.

Lithuanian Sports University

Summary of LSU grounding actions

GA1 – Social Campaign raising public awareness on choosing a sport based on individual desire rather than stereotypes GA 2 – To improve and conduct a regular survey to assess the effectiveness of initiatives in reducing gender-based violence and promoting a safe and respectful environment. GA3 – Develop and implement a series of awareness-raising activities on gender+ and equality in the sports environment at the institutional level. Introduce innovative teaching methods and materials that challenge gender stereotypes, and gender-based violence and promote diverse role models in sports. GA4 – Encouraging research initiatives that explore the intersection of gender and sports GA5 – Training and capacity-building on GBV and sexual harassment in sports environment for internal and external stakeholders

GA1 – Social Campaign raising public awareness on choosing a sport based on individual desire rather than stereotypes

Objective: Raise awareness about pervasive gender stereotypes, empower women, shift cultural perceptions and create a more equitable and inclusive sporting environment.

GEP element: Training and awareness-raising

Implementation plan:

Set up a team for the campaign
Define campaign objectives, content, timeframe, budget
Create the campaign design
Prepare the interviews with success stories (4-5) of professional athletes
Develop the campaign materials
Launch of campaign
Campaign monitoring

GA 2 – To improve and conduct a regular survey to assess the effectiveness of initiatives in reducing gender-based violence and promoting a safe and respectful environment.

Details: This activity is intended for the improvement of the survey aimed at assessing the effectiveness of initiatives in reducing gender-based violence and promoting a safe and respectful environment. The survey will be supplemented with relevant questions. It will help the university to better understand the psychological well-being of students and staff, especially considering issues of gender equality and gender-based violence. The survey will be supplemented with relevant questions.

GEP element: Mandatory: Data collection and monitoring

Thematic: Measures against gender-based violence, including sexual harassment

Implementation plan

Develop questions related to the topics of gender equality and gender-based violence with the psychological well-being committee and stakeholders.
Add these questions to the existing questionnaire.
Conduct a pilot study.
Analyze the results of the pilot study.
Delete and/or correct inappropriate questions.
Conduct a survey of university employees and students.
Analyze and present the survey results to the university community.
Provide recommendations to the university on how to improve psychological well-being, strengthen gender equality, and reduce cases of gender-based violence.

GA3 – Develop and implement a series of awareness-raising activities on gender+ and equality in the sports environment at the institutional level. Introduce innovative teaching methods and materials that challenge gender stereotypes, and gender-based violence and promote diverse role models in sports.

Details: This Grounding Action develops and implements a series of awareness-raising activities on gender+ equality in the sports environment at the institutional level.

GEP element Mandatory: Training and awareness-raising

Thematic: Integration of the gender dimension into research and teaching content

Implementation plan

Include the following topics in the module:

Gender stereotypes related to sports. By providing various examples of inappropriate behaviour found in sports and discussing the reasons for this.
The principle of equal opportunities. Emphasising that all athletes have equal opportunities to participate in any sport and any level of sports events, regardless of gender.
Gender-based violence, including sexual harassment in sports

Include innovative methods in the module:

Use various examples of sports. Students could present the stories of different athletes, regardless of their gender.
Use technology, thereby encouraging students to engage in active learning processes. It is possible to create interactive training programs that reflect various sports activities. Encourage students to create their own recordings, videos or projects that highlight diversity and equality in sport.
Include case studies. For example, invite coaches to share their experiences of how they have promoted diversity and equity in their training.
Discussion and reflection. Organise group discussions about gender stereotypes in sports and how they can be overcome. To encourage students to reflect on their experiences in sports and how they can contribute to the promotion of equal opportunities.

Workshop/panel discussion for students regarding awareness-raising activities on gender+ equality in the sports environment.

Design the material (define appropriate channels, create the visuals)
Impact evaluation

GA4 – Encouraging research initiatives that explore the intersection of gender and sports

Details: The aim is to encourage students (bachelor, master) to conduct more, broader and more detailed research related to gender equality in sports and gender-based violence in sports.

GEP elements: Thematic: Integration of the gender dimension into research and teaching content

Implementation plan:

The Head of the Department of Physical and Social Education will suggest competent teachers to submit an expanded list of bachelor's and master's theses topics related to the problems of gender equality and gender-based violence in sports.
After analysing existing research, competent teachers will provide students with possible topics or students can suggest topics related to the mentioned problems. It is also possible to submit requests to external partners (sports centres, sports clubs) about research related to gender equality and gender-based violence that would be of interest to them.
Encourage students to present topics relevant to them themselves.

GA5 – Training and capacity-building on GBV and sexual harassment in sports environment for internal and external stakeholders

Details: This activity is designed to carry out training GBV programs, diversity or multiple identities in sport, for the university community and external partners (Sports Federations, Sports clubs, Sports schools, Municipal sports centres, National Olympic Committee).

GEP element Mandatory: Training and awareness-raising

Thematic: Measures against gender-based violence, including sexual harassment

Implementation plan:

Trainings are conducted for the university's target groups (administration, teachers, researchers, students, doctoral students) and social partners.

Training topics could be these:

GEP, GBV, multiple identities and diversity issues in sports
Prevention of GBV and creating a safe and supportive environment.
Harm of stereotypes and discrimination in sports.
Practical sessions (case study: how to react when witnessing discriminatory behaviour, harassment, or violence).