The Conference of the Future of Europe officially came to a close on 9 May, which coincided with Europe Day. The Conference took place in Strasbourg, where the European Commission, Council of the EU and European Parliament were presented with the final outcomes from the Conference.   

In attendance was President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, President Emmanuel Macron on behalf of the Council Presidency alongside President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. The Conference was a culmination of a year long initiative by which EU citizens collaborated with politicians to bring about 49 different proposals and more than 320 measures for the EU institutions to follow up on.  

The topics deliberated upon fall into 9 different areas, including Education, Culture, Youth and Sport which was raised in Proposal 49 of the Conference Report. Sport was earmarked around its benefits in society, namely its promotion of healthy lifestyles, as a chief component of EU values (for instance gender equality) and not least, its symbolism as touchstone of European diversity.  

The ensuing Press Conference allowed all three leaders to emphasize the importance of democracy, especially in the light of the changing geopolitical world since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The deliberative nature embodied by the Conference on the Future of Europe was hailed as a hallmark of this democracy along with the importance of delivering on citizens' expectations through treaty changes if necessary.   

The EU institutions will now examine the Conference report on the final outcome within their own spheres of competence and in accordance with the Treaties. A feedback event will take place to update citizens in autumn 2022.  

The EOC EU Office will keep you posted on these developments and will articulate the significance they will assume particularly when it comes to the EU sport sector.