The Nordic National Olympic Committees and umbrella organizations, in collaboration with the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, are organizing a sports leadership training program (Nordic International Leadership Education, NILE). The program is aimed at sports leaders who already have leadership experience at the national level, for example on the board of a sports federation, in committees, or in other similar positions.  

A maximum of five experienced and motivated sports leaders from Finland will be selected for the training program; these individuals must have the qualifications and potential to seek international leadership roles in sports, such as serving on the board or a committee of an international sports federation, or as a president. Previous training sessions have included participants who, following the program, have gone on to hold key leadership positions, such as Emma Terho, who served as a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board.  

The NILE training program equips participants with excellent public speaking skills, tools for international campaigning and lobbying, and the ability to build their personal brand. Through the program, participants build new networks and contacts internationally and within the Nordic countries, and they become part of a network of Finnish sports influencers. 

The training program is intended for member organizations of the Olympic Committee, and applicants must have the support of their respective sports federation to apply. Selected candidates must provide a rationale explaining what kind of international leadership or advocacy role they intend to pursue and why. The training program is conducted in English, so we require participants to have strong written and spoken English skills. Please note that the application must be completed in English. 

Written application and selection seminar in Denmark 

Applicants who have submitted their applications and meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to a selection seminar (national seminar) to be held on January 22–23, 2027, in Copenhagen, Denmark. The seminar will be facilitated by the distinguished international trainer Richard Stephenson, and will also include candidate applicants from Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Sweden and Norway will organize a similar seminar for their own applicants, as will the Netherlands. 

The final selection of training participants will be made following the selection seminar. A maximum of five participants will be selected from Finland for the training. Efforts will be made to select participants who represent both genders equally. Selection requires the completion of a written application by October 15, 2026, as well as participation in the national seminar on January 22–23, 2027. 

Applicants to the selection seminar in Copenhagen are responsible for their own airfare; the Finnish Olympic Committee will cover the costs of accommodation in a double room and meals. If necessary, a preliminary selection of Finnish candidates to be sent to the seminar will be made based on written applications. 

International seminars 

Those selected for the training program will participate in training sessions in Lithuania, Switzerland, and Sweden. Attendance is a prerequisite for selection. One training session will be held as a webinar. 

The training sessions will be held as follows: 

Seminar 1 (Finnish selection seminar in collaboration with the Baltic countries and Denmark) 

Topic: Goal Setting and Rhetoric: Persuasive Communication & International Strategies / Nordic Sports Policy
Location: Copenhagen
Dates: January 20–22, 2027 

Seminar 2: 

Topic: Personal Brand & Leadership Impact (IDI)
Location: Vilnius
Dates: March 8–10, 2027 

Seminar 3: 

Study Trip: International Sports Organizations in Lausanne
Location: Lausanne
Dates: May 11–13, 2027 

National Team Working Day: Preparation for Seminar 4
Location: online
Date: August 25, 2027 

Seminar 4: 

Topic: Public Speaking, Cross-Cultural Competence & Lobbying Campaign
Location: Bosön, Stockholm
Dates: September 1–3, 2027 

The cost of the training program is €3,600 (plus flights to the selection seminar), which includes travel, accommodation, and meals. The cost of the training is subsidized by the Olympic Committee. Invoicing will take place in two installments, one in the spring of 2027 and one in the fall of 2027. 

Those selected for the program must confirm their participation by October 2026. We reserve the right to charge the full participation fee for any cancellations received after this date. 

Application to the Sports Management Program 

The application period for the program is May 21–October 15, 2026. 

The application must include (in English): 

• An informal application (Letter of Motivation) including a brief description of your future goals in sports: What leadership role are you considering applying for in the future, why this particular role, and how is your organization committed to supporting your goal of securing this leadership position? 
• Resume 
• Letter of recommendation from your sponsoring organization