June 2025 with ISG: Leadership, Responsibility, and Sport in Service of the Future
June 2025 with ISG was marked by leadership, responsibility, and the transformation of sport—both at the individual and systemic level. Our initiatives demonstrated that sport can be more than just a space for competition; it can also serve as a tool for social development, a platform for change, and a vehicle for values.
From ecological education on the Hel Peninsula to mentoring Olympians and shaping European sports policy—ISG bridges local action with an international perspective, creating a coherent ecosystem for the development of sport leaders and sports organizations.
OCLP – Investing in the Leaders of Tomorrow
One of June’s most important initiatives was the continued development of the Olympic Committees Leadership Programme (OCLP), a project we’ve been implementing since early 2024 in cooperation with the Polish Olympic Committee, the Olympic Committees of Greece, Ukraine, and Croatia, along with international partners.
After completing the educational phase, the program entered its key mentoring stage. Participants—including Anna Kiełbasińska, Wojciech Makowski, and Marta Pihan-Kulesza—began working with experienced mentors to design their own impact-driven projects that address the real needs of sports organizations.
Our foundation serves as a substantive partner in the project—we develop educational content, support mentoring research, and prepare a guide to dual career pathways. Our President, Dr. Grzegorz Botwina, acts as a mentor to Anna Kiełbasińska, accompanying her in the transition from a sports career to social leadership.
OCLP is not just a program—it is a space for transformation, turning former athletes into leaders, innovators, and ambassadors of values that extend beyond sport.
Want to learn more?
Read our latest articles:
OCLP – ISG and PKOl Support Olympic Athletes in Dual Career Paths
A Programme Shaping the Leaders of Tomorrow
A New Dimension of Transparency – Sport Transparency Index (STI)
June also marked the launch of Europe’s first tool for measuring transparency in sports organizations—the Sport Transparency Index. ISG was responsible for developing the educational module of the online course, which walks users through the process of building transparency, trust, and good governance in practice.
STI includes 15 measurable indicators, a clear methodology, and tangible support for implementing good governance—from clubs to federations. The tool was officially presented in Brussels, and the course is freely available online.
If you’d like to learn more or begin the course, klick here!
Institutional Development of ISG – Investing in the Future
We proudly launched the project “Supporting Mission Activities and Institutional Development of ISG,” co-financed by the National Institute of Freedom under the PROO 4 program.
This will be a strategic step toward strengthening our organization:
- We will develop a 5-year ISG growth strategy,
- Open a modern office in Warsaw,
- Expand our technological infrastructure,
- Establish the CSR in Sport Academy—a comprehensive educational program for sports organizations.
This project will not only streamline our operations but also enable us to more effectively pursue our mission of professionalizing sports governance in Poland and across Europe.
ACTION+ in Malta – Next Project Meeting
June also saw the next partner meeting of the ACTION+ project, which we led in Malta. The initiative focuses on building a network of national facilitators for reforms within sports federations and developing practical tools for implementing good governance.
Our goal is not merely to develop theoretical models—we aim to deliver real solutions and concrete support for those working on the frontlines of sports reform.
ECOS N2K – Ecological Education on the Hel Peninsula
Sport can go hand in hand with environmental awareness—and that’s exactly what we demonstrated in June through the ECOS N2K project. In Hel, we conducted a series of eco-sports workshops involving over 120 students from the General Education School Complex.
The children learned about environmentally friendly physical activity, took part in nature-inspired exercises, and participated in an educational field expedition along the ECOS trail.
This trail—designed and marked by our team in cooperation with Northern Kashubia and the Hel Forest District—runs from the Museum of Coastal Defense to the nature reserve on the Hel dunes. We placed QR-coded stickers along the path, linking to an interactive map and online educational materials.
It’s a great example of how sport can genuinely support ecological education and engage younger generations in protecting the region’s natural heritage.
ISG Co-Creates European Commission Documents
June also saw the publication of two key “Ideas Papers” by the European Commission on digitalization and entrepreneurship in the sports sector.
We are proud to share that ISG was one of the co-creators of both documents, with PhD Grzegorz Botwina serving as the chair of the steering group.
This is further proof that as a think tank, we are not just observers—we are active contributors to shaping European sports policy.
The Social Role of Sport – Dialogue and Diplomacy
In June, we participated in the conference “Sport with Values, Values in Sport” held at the Polish Parliament and served as a patron of a debate on soft power and sports diplomacy organized by the Young Diplomats Forum.
At the heart of these events was a central question: how can we harness the power of sport to build community, responsibility, and positive social impact? This reflection is one we amplify in all our projects.
Summary
June 2025 showed that true change in sport is the result of synergy—between people, knowledge, and values. We act locally and globally, educate and implement, support and innovate, building new models of leadership.
We thank all our partners, participants, and supporters for joining us on this journey. We are changing sport—with responsibility, professionalism, and vision.
