The “Balance S4: Time for Action!” closing event on “Strengthening the Safety and Service pillars of the Saint-Denis Convention” was held on 4 December to wrap up the joint European Union – Council of Europe project and in the framework of the 8th meeting of the Saint-Denis Committee.
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The event presented an overview of all the activities organised and goals achieved during the two-year duration of the project. It discussed the findings and best practices revealed by the Balance S4 practical approach, presented the ways to facilitate training programmes on safety and service in home countries, using the Training of Trainers sessions on Safety and Service delivered in Athens and online as examples, and presented the lessons learned from the two tests of the Balance S4 Training Toolkit delivered in Poland and Portugal in November 2025.
Moreover, participants were invited to look at the next steps for implementing the main deliverables of the project: the Balance S4 Guidelines, the Balance S4 Safety and Service Essentials, the Balance S4 Training Toolkit, and the Balance S4 e-learning course, all with the aim of enhancing safety and service at football matches and other sports events across Europe.
An emphasis was placed upon the future responsibility that rests with the Saint-Denis Committee and its delegations to implement the guidelines and other tools which constitute the legacy of the Balance S4 joint project.
The event took place at the home stadium of Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace (RCSA), the Stade de la Meinau, providing participants the opportunity to witness first-hand the ongoing and completed renovations, discuss safety and service topics in a practical manner, look at the challenges encountered during the renovations, and discover the solutions established with beneficiaries.
The date marked one year from the awareness-raising workshop on Safety and Service that had also taken place at the Stade de la Meinau, enabling participants to witness the progress made during the renovations and discuss additional challenges that have arisen during the works.
The event was addressed to the Parties and Observers to the Saint-Denis Convention, representatives from Ministries responsible for Sport and of the Interior or Justice, police officials from National Football Information Points (NFIPs), and representatives from international sports and supporter organisations.
The efforts of the Balance S4 project will contribute to a safer, more welcoming and more enjoyable experience for spectators and other participants alike, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and shared responsibility in securing sports events across Europe.
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