The International Ice Hockey Federstion (IIHF) is proud to announce its active partnership in the SAFE HARBOUR project, an initiative co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme. This project launched earlier this year, unites a diverse range of European stakeholders, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Federations, academic institutions, and safeguarding experts, all working together to strengthen safeguarding mechanisms across Europe’s sporting landscape.

A Collective Effort to Create Safe Sporting Environments

The SAFE HARBOUR project represents a unified commitment within the European Olympic Movement to enhance responses to safeguarding concerns in sport. The initiative aims to: 

• Identify and address gaps in safeguarding responses and services;

• Map stakeholders and clarify responsibilities to ensure a coordinated approach;

• Develop a European Response Framework, along with complementary national strategies;

• Provide training and raise awareness among - stakeholders at all levels;

• Establish the European Network for Safe Sports (ENSS), a long-term  hub for safeguarding knowledge and action.

IIHF’s Role in the Project

As a key project partner, the IIHF will leverage its expertise and international reach to integrate safeguarding principles within both the ice hockey community and the broader sporting world. The IIHF’s contributions will include: 

• Supporting the development and dissemination of the European safeguarding framework within the ice hockey community;

• Engaging with national member associations to raise awareness and enhance capacity on safeguarding issues;

• Sharing best practices and collaborating with other international sports organisations to strengthen collective safeguarding efforts;

• Promoting the project’s key messages and outcomes through IIHF’s communication channels and events.

The IIHF is committed to helping foster a culture of safety and respect within sport, and looks forward to working closely with its partners to achieve the project’s objectives. 

The IIHF’s participation in the SAFE HARBOUR project strongly aligns with the federation’s existing Integrity Program, which is designed to protect ice hockey from all forms of abuse, misconduct, and unethical behavior. Through education, prevention, and clear reporting mechanisms, the IIHF Integrity Program supports athletes, officials, and all participants in upholding the highest standards of integrity and safeguarding.

Central to this effort is the IIHF’s “Hold the Line” integrity campaign which launched this week, which empowers individuals to speak up, report concerns, and take an active role in protecting the sport. The campaign promotes awareness around safeguarding, match-fixing, harassment, and abuse, reinforcing the message that everyone in ice hockey has a responsibility to maintain safe sporting environments.

For more information about the SAFE HARBOUR project, visit the EOC EU Office website.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.