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

Moving towards the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034: how does it look for sport?

The EU budget at large: overview of recent meetings and decisions  Negotiations on the European Union's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 have entered a decisive phase. Following the publication of the European Commission's proposal last year, both the Council of the EU and the European Parliament are now shaping their respective negotiating positions ahead […]

Read More
Why do so many Erasmus+ Sport results never reach sport organisations?

Understanding the gap between innovation and implementation Every year, Erasmus+ Sport supports dozens of collaborative projects that generate innovative research, practical guidance and new approaches to some of the biggest challenges facing European sport. Many produce excellent deliverables. Yet only few are embedded in the everyday practice of sport organisations. Why? A wealth of knowledge […]

Read More
Exploring how European cooperation can strengthen sport organisations

A series highlighting practical knowledge, good practices and European cooperation in sport A series highlighting practical knowledge, good practices and European cooperation in sport Over the coming months, the EOC EU Office will showcase practical knowledge, innovative approaches and examples of good practice from across the European sport community. European cooperation has generated a wealth […]

Read More

Related Posts

August 18, 2026
Moving towards the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034: how does it look for sport?

The EU budget at large: overview of recent meetings and decisions  Negotiations on the European Union's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 have entered a decisive phase. Following the publication of the European Commission's proposal last year, both the Council of the EU and the European Parliament are now shaping their respective negotiating positions ahead […]

August 13, 2026
Why do so many Erasmus+ Sport results never reach sport organisations?

Understanding the gap between innovation and implementation Every year, Erasmus+ Sport supports dozens of collaborative projects that generate innovative research, practical guidance and new approaches to some of the biggest challenges facing European sport. Many produce excellent deliverables. Yet only few are embedded in the everyday practice of sport organisations. Why? A wealth of knowledge […]

July 31, 2026
Exploring how European cooperation can strengthen sport organisations

A series highlighting practical knowledge, good practices and European cooperation in sport A series highlighting practical knowledge, good practices and European cooperation in sport Over the coming months, the EOC EU Office will showcase practical knowledge, innovative approaches and examples of good practice from across the European sport community. European cooperation has generated a wealth […]

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