The LEAPS project
A pan-European collaboration that aims to encourage more young LGBT+ people to play sports.
Pan Idræt Hovedstaden is the project manager of the European Erasmus+ project LEAPS (LGBT+ Empowerment through Active Participation in Sports), which brings together Pan Idræt and clubs in Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia and Spain to give more young LGBT+ people access to sports. It is the first Erasmus+ project where Pan Idræt is the project manager.
What is the project about?
The LEAPS project is about exchanging experience and finding new methods to get more young LGBT+ people to actively participate in LGBT+ sports clubs. There is a general trend that many children are members of sports clubs, but leave when they become young – and some only come back as adults. By investigating why they leave the clubs, and focusing on making them feel even more welcome, the goal is to get more young LGBT+ people to become part of the community in the respective clubs.
The project focuses in particular on:
- To create knowledge about what makes young people feel more welcome in clubs
- To share experience with other clubs across Europe
- To build networks and cooperation between clubs and leaders
Pan Idræt's role in the project
Pan Idræt is the applicant association in Erasmus+, which means that we are project leaders. As Denmark's largest LGBT+ sports association, and among the largest clubs in Europe, Pan Idræt actively contributes to knowledge sharing. We actively participate in online meetings, have hosted an exchange meeting in Copenhagen and participated in an exchange meeting in Valencia in July 2026. The project is expected to be completed during 2026.
Disclaimer:
“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.”
Coordinator contact information:
Lars Klitgaard, Acting Chairperson, Pan Idræt Hovedstaden, lars@panidraet.dk
Focus areas in the project
Knowledge of what makes clubs welcoming:
The project investigates what makes young LGBT+ people feel more welcome in sports clubs – and why many opt out when they transition from children to young adults.
Exchange of experience across Europe:
Pan Idræt shares experience with clubs in Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia and Spain, and acquires new knowledge and new methods from the other partners.
Networking and collaboration:
Networks and cooperation are being built between clubs and leaders across the participating countries, including through joint exchange meetings.
Long-term effect
The project will not only provide concrete results during the project period, but will also pave the way for more young LGBT+ people to become part of the community in their sports association – and stay there. The project is expected to be completed during 2026.
Partnerships
