The Young Olympic Board Network Europe (YOBE) is a peer-based network for European National Olympic Committee (NOC) board members under the age of 45. It functions as a structured but informal platform for exchange among a new generation of decision-makers within the Olympic movement.

From a governance perspective, YOBE serves three core purposes:

1. to facilitate experience-based knowledge sharing on board work, leadership roles, and international sport governance;
2. to strengthen horizontal networks across European NOCs at an early stage of board members’ careers; and
3. to contribute to longer-term leadership capacity and continuity within the Olympic system.

The network is deliberately non-representative and non-political in nature. It does not adopt positions or speak on behalf of NOCs, but instead provides space for open dialogue, reflection, and peer learning across different national contexts. Diversity, in terms of gender, geography, and professional background, is treated as a structural asset that improves the quality of discussion and shared learning.

YOBE meets twice annually: one in-person meeting hosted by a rotating NOC and one online meeting. The meetings are designed to be practical, discussion-driven, and closely connected to the real governance challenges faced by NOC board members, while remaining complementary to existing formal European and international structures.

Why Should You Attend?

This meeting is designed to:

• Strengthen the European network of young NOC leaders.
• Foster the exchange of innovative ideas and best practices, that can support the work of our NOCs.
• Empower young European board members to strengthen their contribution and impact within the Olympic Movement.
• Collaborate on a shared European vision for the future, with a focus on diversity, responsible leadership, and the role of sport in society.

Your NOC’s participation is vital as we work together to build a connected, forward-thinking community of European young leaders. We encourage you to nominate a board member under the age of 45 who can contribute to these important discussions.