Development Projects

Athletes' Involvement After a Sport Career

The IBU Development Project - Athletes' Involvement After a Sport Career, helps National Federations (NFs) keep former biathletes involved in the sport by providing financial support to NFs. This program supports NFs in offering employment or training opportunities to athletes who want to stay in biathlon as coaches, technicians, officials, in administrative positions, or any other job in biathlon.

National Federations can receive financial support to help cover the costs of:

• Education and Training: Courses for former athletes in coaching, sports management, mentoring, or other areas relevant to biathlon.

• Employment in Biathlon Organizations: Salary support for former athletes working in NFs, clubs, schools, or other biathlon-related organizations.

The project should last a minimum of 6 months.

Requirements

To qualify for support, the hired athlete must:

• Represents the NF at the international level (IBU WC or IBU Cup) in senior categories for a minimum of 2 seasons

• Retired within the last five seasons, or are in their final competing season (exceptions may apply in special cases).

• Have no history of doping or serious ethical violations.

Athletes can receive support for up to three seasons. Those already fully employed by a federation are not eligible.

Application

NFs must submit the application via IBU Scope. For more details, please check the latest IBU Development Projects Guidelines.

Gender Equality and Diversity

The IBU Development Project - Gender Equality and Diversity's main objective is to increase the number of girls in the biathlon family and ensure equal opportunities for everyone. In addition, projects support increasing the number of women practicing biathlon, activating women coaches in biathlon, all activities related to creating an NF gender equality policy, preventing harassment and abuse, etc.

The potential projects for NFs:

• Encourage gender equality and diversity activities or further develop existing initiatives

• Organise gender equality seminars, webinars, and workshops to encourage more women working in biathlon Establish programs focusing on the prevention of harassment and abuse

• Cover fee of female coaches or technicians

• Support pregnant athletes in continuing their sports activities during pregnancy while ensuring their safety and well-being or support postnatal exercise programs and psychological support to help athletes manage the transition to motherhood after giving birth. two years ago, as well as childcare during the training and competing periods.

National Federations can receive financial support to help cover the costs of:

• Organisational costs

• Expert's (lecturer) travel costs and fees

• Preparation and production of materials (e.g. brochure)

• Salary of female coaches or technicians

• Training process support for pregnant athletes and athletes who gave birth max. 2 years ago, including childcare during the training and competition periods

Application

NFs must submit the application via IBU Scope. For more details, please check the latest IBU Development Projects Guidelines.