Discussion in the European Parliament highlights need for financing of sport infrastructure

Discussion in the European Parliament highlights need for financing of sport infrastructure

On 2 December, the European Parliament hosted the event “From Playground to Olympus – Financing Europe’s Sport Future,” organised by the MEP Nikolina Brnjac (Croatia, EPP). In her opening speech, MEP Brnjac, former Sports Minister of Croatia stressed that sport infrastructure must focus on everyday community spaces that give all children and citizens access to physical activity, and she called for the next Multiannual Financial Framework to include increased-dedicated funding for local sport facilities. Glenn Micallef, the EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, highlighted that Europe’s sport ecosystem can only thrive with long-term investment, combining grassroots participation and elite development, and noted that existing EU instruments such as Erasmus+ and cohesion policy already support inclusion, coaching, and facility upgrades. During the panel discussion, MEP Daniel Attard (Malta, S&D) underlined sport’s impact on social mobility and mental health and called for stronger EU-level funding; Sanda Čorak of the Croatian Olympic Committee pointed to Croatia’s improved sporting results while warning that sport is still too often treated as a cost, not an investment. Furthermore, Folker Hellmund, Director of the EOC EU Office urged better integration of sport into EU funding regulations. Together, participants called for coordinated action to ensure that communities across Europe have the facilities and support needed to practise sport in daily life.

Recent Posts

Parliament supports stronger funding for Erasmus+ 2028-2034

On Wednesday, 21 October, the European Parliament debated the future of the Erasmus+ programme, with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voicing strong support for increasing its funding. On Thursday, 22 October, by a significant majority, the European Parliament adopted its mandate for the next stage of the negotiations for Erasmus+ 2028-2034, including a €47.39 […]

Read More
EU opposes Russian and Belarusian athletes' return to global sport

At the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting on 12 October, Foreign Affairs Ministers and  Commissioner for Culture, Youth, Education and Sport Glenn Micallef discussed preventing the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international sports competitions.  Statements by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Micallef emphasised that sports and culture must not be used […]

Read More
BUILDING MORE INCLUSIVE SPORT ORGANISATIONS: PRACTICAL RESOURCES FOR GENDER EQUALITY

MANY SPORT ORGANISATIONS WANT TO IMPROVE GENDER EQUALITY — BUT WHERE SHOULD THEY START? Across Europe, gender equality is increasingly recognised as fundamental to good governance, stronger leadership and more inclusive decision-making. Yet, advancing gender equality goes well beyond increasing female participation. It also means ensuring equal opportunities in leadership, governance, coaching, officiating and recruitment, […]

Read More

Related Posts

October 26, 2026
Parliament supports stronger funding for Erasmus+ 2028-2034

On Wednesday, 21 October, the European Parliament debated the future of the Erasmus+ programme, with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voicing strong support for increasing its funding. On Thursday, 22 October, by a significant majority, the European Parliament adopted its mandate for the next stage of the negotiations for Erasmus+ 2028-2034, including a €47.39 […]

October 16, 2026
EU opposes Russian and Belarusian athletes' return to global sport

At the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting on 12 October, Foreign Affairs Ministers and  Commissioner for Culture, Youth, Education and Sport Glenn Micallef discussed preventing the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international sports competitions.  Statements by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Micallef emphasised that sports and culture must not be used […]

October 16, 2026
BUILDING MORE INCLUSIVE SPORT ORGANISATIONS: PRACTICAL RESOURCES FOR GENDER EQUALITY

MANY SPORT ORGANISATIONS WANT TO IMPROVE GENDER EQUALITY — BUT WHERE SHOULD THEY START? Across Europe, gender equality is increasingly recognised as fundamental to good governance, stronger leadership and more inclusive decision-making. Yet, advancing gender equality goes well beyond increasing female participation. It also means ensuring equal opportunities in leadership, governance, coaching, officiating and recruitment, […]

About us

The EOC EU Office is the House of European Sport, representing the European Olympic Committees (EOC), the IOC and other major sport organisations to the European institutions in Brussels.
CONTACT
crossmenu linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram