On 21 September 2016, the European Commission (DG COMP) published five decisions on local support measures, which were not deemed to constitute state aid. One of these decisions, regarding the support of the BLSV Sportcamp Nordbayern in Germany, involves the funding of sport infrastructure. DG Competition took the occasion to clarify, which public support measures can be implemented by Member States without prior scrutiny by the Commission.

This publication follows similar clarifications through a notice in May 2016 and similar decisions in April 2015 that helped to clarify the situation since the adoption of the General Block Exemption Regulation in May 2014, which allows Member States to grant State aid in a wide range of sectors, without having to notify it to the Commission.

In the German case, Germany intends to support the construction of several sports facilities at the Sportcamp Nordbayern, in the region of Oberfranken. It will be open principally for schools, non-profit sports clubs and social or educational activities and will not provide classic hotel services. The Commission found that this public investment would have no effect on trade between Member States and therefore involves no state aid, because it is targeted at a regional customer base.

FURTHER INFORMATION
European Commission press release (21/09/2016): “State aid: Commission gives guidance on local public support measures that do not constitute state aid”
European Commission press release (19/05/2016): “State aid: Commission clarifies scope of EU State aid rules to facilitate public investment”
European Commission press release (29/04/2015): “State Aid: Commission gives guidance on local public support measures that can be granted without prior Commission approval”