The European School Sport Federation (ESSF) has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Karate Federation (EKF), marking an important milestone in the development
and promotion of Karate within the European school sport system.

The signing ceremony took place at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade, hosted by Zoran Gajić, Minister of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Serbia, who welcomed the delegations and emphasized that school sport is currently one major strategic pillar for the sport development in Serbia..

The MoU was formally signed by Ivan Dujić, President of ESSF, and Antonio Espinós, President of EKF, establishing a long-term strategic partnership between the two organisations.

The EKF delegation included Antonio Espinós, EKF President, and Davor Cipek, EKF Secretary General, while the ESSF delegation was represented by Ivan Dujić (ESSF President), Gorica Bilak Moconja (Sport Director), Stelios Daskalakis (Secretary General / CEO), and Slobodan Đurić (Board Director).

In parallel, the International School Sport Federation (ISF) delegation was also present in Belgrade, further reinforcing the global dimension of the initiative. The ISF delegation was led by Željko Tanasković, ISF President, alongside Uroš Savić, ISF Event Director, who participated in related strategic discussions and cooperation activities with EKF.

Strengthening the Role of Karate in School Sport

Through this agreement, ESSF and EKF commit to a structured collaboration aimed at integrating Karate more strongly into school sport systems across Europe.

The partnership will focus on:

• Development and promotion of school Karate activities
• Technical support and standardisation of competitions
• Education and training of teachers and technical officials
• Promotion of key values such as fair play, inclusion, and integrity

By combining ESSF’s educational and school sport network with EKF’s technical expertise, the agreement creates a scalable framework for long-term growth of Karate within the school environment.

A Shared Vision for Youth Development

This partnership reflects a broader strategic alignment between sport and education, reinforcing the role of school sport as a platform for developing not only athletic skills, but also social values and personal growth.

The presence of national and international stakeholders, including ministerial representation and ISF leadership, highlights the increasing importance of coordinated efforts in shaping the future of youth sport at both European and global levels.

Looking Ahead

The ESSF–EKF partnership represents a forward-looking initiative that will contribute to expanding opportunities for young athletes, strengthening cooperation between institutions, and positioning Karate as a key sport within the European school sport ecosystem.

Further joint activities, competitions, and educational programmes are expected to follow as part of this collaboration.