About the project
EDU-DC:
Dual careers, One Goal
EDU-DC – EDUcation for Dual Careers of football talents is an Erasmus+ Key Action 2 project designed to help young football players combine sport and education for a sustainable and fulfilling future – on and off the pitch.
Running from November 2024 to April 2027, the project is coordinated by the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) and brings together national football federations, universities, and sport organisations to create a stronger foundation for dual career development in football.
young players continues education while training at elite level — EDU-DC aims to raise that number.
players engaged in EDU-DC pilot actions across Europe
female participation ensuring gender balance in football
What We Aim to Achieve
The main goal of EDU-DC is to empower talented football players aged 16–21, both women and men, by reinforcing the capacities of the people who guide them – coaches, Dual Career Coordinators, and Dual Career Support Providers (DCSPs).
The project develops a comprehensive educational programme that equips staff with tools to help athletes succeed in their studies while pursuing football at a high level. This holistic approach ensures that players grow not only as athletes but as individuals ready for life beyond sport.
Why It Matters
In Europe, thousands of young players chase professional football dreams – but only a small percentage reach the top level. For most, education remains the key to long-term wellbeing, identity, and employability.
Dual careers are increasingly recognised as a social investment that benefits not just athletes but also their communities and the broader sports ecosystem. Research shows that players who balance sport and education experience:
- Higher wellbeing and life satisfaction
- Better career transition readiness
- Stronger social skills and identity development
- Improved employability and financial stability
Target group
16–21-year-old football players (male and female)
Pilot countries
Netherlands, Denmark, Bulgaria, Ireland
Main focus
Education, wellbeing, employability, identity, life skills
Organisations involved
4 Football Federations, 1 University, 1 European network
Planned training
20 Dual Career Coordinators, 200 coaches, 60 DCSPs
Players engaged
~400 players (approx. 50% women)
Clubs involved
20 European football clubs
Project duration
2024–2027
How EDU-DC Works
EDU-DC takes a holistic approach to Dual Careers, addressing eight key dimensions that shape a player’s growth and future:
Sports performance – Education – Employability – Wellbeing – Identity development – Financial development – Life skills – Social development
This model ensures that each athlete’s development goes beyond the game – focusing equally on academic, social, and personal progress.
Our Approach in Action
- Mapping and Analysis – Understanding how clubs and academies currently support education alongside football.
- Capacity Building – Creating and piloting training programmes for coordinators, coaches, and support staff.
- Player Support – Enhancing guidance systems for youth players through mentorship and structured programmes.
- Gender Inclusion – Integrating women’s football and gender equality throughout the project’s design and training.
- European Collaboration – Sharing results and best practices through the UEFA Academy and EMCA network.
A European Collaboration for the Future of Football
While many Dual Career initiatives address multiple sports, EDU-DC is one of the first projects focused solely on football and its specific challenges at academy level.
By combining academic research, club experience, and European collaboration, EDU-DC creates long-term value for players, staff, and federations alike.Together, we’re building a culture where success in education and sport go hand in hand – because every goal on the field should come with one off it.