On 15 July, the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) adopted its own-initiative report on the role of EU policies in shaping the European Sport Model (ESM), reaffirming the EU’s commitment to a value-based sport model built on solidarity, inclusiveness, and good governance. The report calls for a long-term EU strategy that strengthens the link between professional and grassroots sport and reinforces financial solidarity mechanisms. MEPs also voiced concern over growing commercialisation and foreign ownership, urging safeguards to protect the integrity of European sport.
Notably, the EOC EU Office had contributed input to the report and welcomed the inclusion of key priorities, including recognition of sport’s autonomy grounded in good governance and a cooperative approach with public authorities. The final vote in plenary is expected to take place in September.
In parallel, the CULT Committee also approved its opinion for budgetary amendments for 2026, including proposals to increase funding under Erasmus+ Sport Key Action 1 and establish the Preparatory Action, “Sport Supports - emergency sport actions for youth”, aimed at aiding integration and mental wellbeing of young people affected by humanitarian crises.