European Aquatics to Relocate Headquarters to Belgrade
European Aquatics this week announced the decision to relocate its headquarters to Belgrade, Serbia.
The organization has been housed in Nyon, Switzerland, since 2015. At its 2025 Congress in Tbilisi, Georgia, the organization voted to move to the Serbian capital, dependent on approval via legislation from the Serbia Parliament.
“The process to consider creating moving to a new home for European Aquatics has taken a year to date and has been a fair and transparent process based on a rigorous methodology which assessed the value of offers based on the location’s accessibility, facilities, level of financial support, local conditions and quality of life,” EA President Antonio Silva said in a statement. “Negotiations between EA and prospective hosts were managed by an independent agency, Glendon Hill. I would like to thank the EA officers and bureau members Arno Pajek and Erik van Heijningen who formed a task force to manage the complex process, and EA Vice President Vanja Udovicic, who helped facilitate negotiations with the Serbian authorities.”
The deal includes a “rent-free” office of 500 square meters in “a city centre location” and guaranteed hosting fees for 10 years (with an option to extend by a further five years).
“The Congress delegates gave the green light to complete the necessary legal steps so that we may have a final contract to sign off on in the coming months,” Silva said.
Also at the Congress in Tbilisi, EA hosted its second Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Forum, with Silva presenting a report on the success of European competitors at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. The organization’s DEI Commission is being expanded to include an “Integrity” component. The DEI Commission signed a July 4 Memorandum of Understanding between EA and Special Olympics, and discussions are underway with a similar MoU with Para Swimming. Thirty-one nations have signed up to the DEI Charter.
Among the highlights Silva touted is the European Aquatics Academy (EAA), which provide clinics and instruction for coaches, officials, athletes and federations, many with World Aquatics co-funding.
In this Olympic cycle, EA will coordinate European Championships in 2026 and 2028 with European Athletics and European Gymnastics. The goal is for a joint location to hold those three championships by 2030.
EA has also launched Aquatic Social Responsibility (ASR), with 14 national federations applying for the Swim Safe Europe initiative certification process. That will take place in clinics this month and Nov. 28-29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The organization also welcomed a presentation by International Ice Swimming Association President Ram Barakai as the two organizations look to further their collaboration.
