The revised competence profile for Sustainability Manager in Sport will incorporate new competencies in the domains of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, Green Sport and AI-driven business & marketing solutions, enabling future professionals to plan, execute and evaluate sustainable sport initiatives. The updated competence profile will be validated by industry experts and stakeholders, ensuring its relevance and recognition in the labour market.

The PlayForward Microcredential will follow a stackable model, consisting of three smaller, standalone Microcredentials (3 - 4 ECTS each), dedicated to key dimensions of sustainability: Civic Engagement, Green Sport, and AI-driven Business and Marketing Solutions. Completion of all three Microcredentials will lead to a recognised qualification – Sustainability Manager in Sport, endorsed by industry stakeholders.

In addition, the project partners will develop institutional recognition instruments that will allow students who choose to complete only selected Microcredentials to transfer the earned credits to their ongoing or future study programmes.

The PlayForward pedagogical model will consist of three phases that together create a harmonious, transnational and innovative learning experience:

PHASE 1: Guided online studies with facilitator support, designed to introduce students to key topics of sustainability in sport management. A core element of this phase will be learning videos developed and performed by professional actors from our partner Room Service.

PHASE 2: Transnational job shadowing, where students from PlayForward HEIs visit a partner from the sport sector abroad (ADCS or USZP). Students will observe real-world practices, and critically reflect on international approaches to sustainable sport management.

PHASE 3: Service-learning will focus on engaging students in a volunteering activity at a
Local sport organization, where they apply newly acquired skills in real settings.

The newly developed Microcredential Sustainability Manager in Sport, including the pedagogical model, will be tested with real students from participating higher education institutions. We expect that at least 48 students from Austria, Germany, Spain, and Türkiye will successfully complete the suggested activities and receive a recognised qualification.

To promote the PlayForward approach and facilitate its adoption among various stakeholders, the partnership will develop several practical resources, including:

• Handbook for mentors and facilitators showcasing the
  added value, structure, and implementation process of the PlayForward three-phase pedagogical model.
• Guidelines for educational stakeholders in HE, VET, youth, and adult
  education on integrating PlayForward outcomes into their specific sector.
• Recommendations for sport stakeholders focusing on embedding sustainability
  principles and recognising MC-qualified professionals.