While sport and the European Union may appear from separate spheres, they are more closely connected than one might expect. Cooperating with civil society organizations, local clubs, and international sports bodies, EU institutions use sport to engage citizens, building community and responding to social challenges. This article explores how EU institutions actively support and funds initiatives using sport to strengthen European values.
One of the key frameworks guiding the EU´s involvement in sport is the EU Work Plan for Sport (2024-2027), adopted by the Council of the European Union. It addresses sport´s contribution to health, inclusion, sustainability, and European values. The plan focuses on three key priority areas: promoting integrity and values in sport, boosting its social and economic impact, and increasing participation in physical activity. The plan also highlights the teamwork between EU institutions, Member States, grassroots organizations, and international partners.
As part of its commitment to promoting public health through sport, the European Commission spearheads events, initiatives and awards to promote sport and physical activity across Europe, like the #BeActive awards, the European Week of Sport, the EU Sport Forum, the SHARE 2.0 initiative and the Erasmus + program.
The annual European Week of Sport will take place this year from 23 to 30 September. This year’s priorities are encouraging healthier digital habits, the celebration of one decade of the initiative, and of course, inspire everyone to be more active. National agencies, local communities, and sports organizations, like the European Olympic Committees (EOC), the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), collaborate with the European Week of Sport, advocating for the physical and mental benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle.
We also have the #BeActive EU Sport Awards, which highlight inspiring contributions that align with the EU´s goals. The aim of these awards is to celebrate individuals and organization that use sport to advance social cohesion, equity, and well-being. The awards are divided in five categories, each one reflecting a core value of EU sport policy: promoting physical activity, advancing social inclusion, recognizing volunteer contributions, encouraging intergenerational engagement, and using sport as a tool for peace and dialogue.
The European Commission also organized the EU Sport Forum which took place this year on 10 and 11 April in Krakow, Poland, in which the European Commission and sport stakeholders discussed the future of sport in the EU, focusing on topics such as anti-doping, corruption, discrimination and mobility.
Moreover, Erasmus+ is a programme that supports education, training, and youth development across Europe, funding mobility opportunities for young people and concentrates on supporting education, training and youth across Europe.
Finally, the SHARE 2.0 initiative is designed to promote cooperation and knowledge exchange in areas such as funding access, health, innovation, and sustainability in sport. It operates by including public authorities, sport organizations, and policy experts, encouraging active involvement and shared learning across all levels of sport development.
One important value of the European Union is gender equality. The European Commission´s High-Level Group on Gender Equality in Sport, addresses a set of recommendations to promote gender balance within the sport sector. This action plan targets EU institutions, Member States, and sports organizations, focusing in six key areas: participation, coaching and officiating, leadership, socio-economic aspects, media representation, and gender-based violence. The High-Level Group on Gender Equality in Sport, is designed as a toolkit which support actions and policy development at all levels to advance gender equality in sport across Europe.
Lastly, the EU plays an important role in tackling anti-doping issues, for example, through its cooperation with international bodies such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The European Commission and Member States collaborate to ensure that regulations related to the World Anti-Doping Code align with EU law. This reflects the EU´s commitment to developing an anti-doping framework that safeguards athletes ‘rights and therefore ensuring fairness and integrity in sport.
As this article has shown, sport is much more than a source of entertainment or a way to stay fit. From promoting public health to fostering inclusion, sport has become a strategic and powerful tool for shaping a more connected and resilient Europe.
Ilona Zsámboki
Europe XXI 