Empowering the Next Generation. A Overview of Key Webinars Under the “Girls Empowerment: Together Through Football” Project

As part of the “Girls Empowerment: Together Through Football” initiative, a series of educational webinars was successfully held, bringing together international experts, athletes, and youth leaders to discuss personal development, mental resilience, and equality in sports.

This initiative combines sport, psychosocial support, leadership development, and community integration to create a structured and sustainable model of empowerment for girls.

The broader project encompasses:

Football training sessions
Online leadership and communication workshops
Group psychological support
Community integration events
Development of a trilingual digital toolkit to support long-term impact across Cyprus and beyond

Key Webinars Recap

1. Mental & Physical Health & Emotional Well-being

In this session, Danilo Malafaia (Co-Founder of the Martial Arts Coalition for Sustainable Development) and Erin Stuckenbruck (Co-Founder of SOMA Association in Spain and Member of the Martial Arts Coalition) explored the vital connection between physical activity and emotional balance.

Key topics covered:

The connection between mental and physical health
Practical ways to manage stress and cope with difficult emotions
Building healthy habits for everyday well-being
Understanding the core needs of body and mind

2. Women in Sport: Role Models & Realities

Cypriot hammer throw athlete, Harvard student-athlete, European U18 bronze medallist, and top-8 finisher at the World U20 Championships Emilia Kolokotroni shared her personal journey, offering valuable insights into navigating competitive sports while building personal resilience.

Key topics covered:

- Challenges and opportunities for women in sport
- The importance of confidence and self-belief
- How role models inspire the next generation
- Key lessons learned through an athlete’s journey

3. Teamwork, Conflict & Decision-Making

This webinar focused on how sports environments help youth develop key life competencies. The panel featured Anita Plakolli (Development Associate, School Sport Federation Kosovo) and Adele Bruggeman (Director of Strategy, Equity & Impact).

Key topics covered:

Developing teamwork skills through sport
Effective communication within a team setting
Approaching conflicts and constructive problem-solving
Leadership and decision-making on and off the field

4. Navigating Challenges & Finding Personal Strength

Zu Tohtayeva, Founder and Partner at SteelRose Legal Ltd., joined for an honest discussion about overcoming obstacles, making independent choices, and building self-reliance during formative years.

Key topics covered:

Real-world challenges girls encounter while growing up
Cultivating confidence and self-belief
Navigating difficult decisions with clarity
Personal growth, agency, and empowerment

This initiative is organized within the framework of Project Girls Empowerment: Together Through Football, funded by the UEFA Foundation for Children and implemented by GOAL STI ZOI in partnership with the Kateryna Biloruska Foundation and GDA Sports.

Read more – How Sport Helps in Developing Self-Confidence