Monthly Report Highlight - European Parliament draft kicks off debate on a stronger, fairer European Sport Model

Monthly Report Highlight - European Parliament draft kicks off debate on a stronger, fairer European Sport Model

The debate on the future of the European Sport Model (ESM) entered a decisive phase this month with the publication of the draft report by the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT). Authored by rapporteur Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski (EPP, PL), the text will serve as Parliament’s formal position before the European Commission prepares its own Communication on the ESM, scheduled for mid-2026. CULT will vote on the final wording in June–July; amendments may still be tabled for a short period, but the broad lines are now set. 

A positive baseline for organised sport 

Throughout the report the ESM is portrayed as a public-interest asset deserving protection from purely commercial pressures. It reaffirms the values of solidarity, sporting merit and inclusiveness, while warning against break-away competitions and unchecked foreign investment. Crucially, the draft recognises the conditional autonomy of sport organisations, linking that autonomy to higher standards of transparency, integrity and gender equality. 

Where the draft applies pressure 

The rapporteur nevertheless highlights a trio of weaknesses within the current model: 

  • Declining volunteering, which erodes the human capital sustaining clubs. 
  • Persistent governance shortcomings, including integrity and equality gaps. 
  • Limited reach and transparency of existing financial-solidarity mechanisms. 

An athlete-centred chapter presses sport bodies on fundamental and social rights, meaningful participation in decision-making and stronger social dialogue. The proposal for an EU Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Professional Sport is the most far-reaching new instrument; while commendable in intent, it still needs a clear mandate and workable structure. 

Clarifications secured at the Annual Partner Meeting 

During the EOC Annual Partner Meeting (see also separate article) in Brussels on 15 May, Katarzyna Biniaszczyk, assistant to MEP Zdrojewski, presented the draft to the partners of the EOC EU Office.  These clarifications dispelled fears of EU micro-management and underscored that the aim is to give stakeholders clearer legal guidance and to ensure public funding follows integrity and sustainability principles. 

Follow-up and outlook 

The EOC EU Office will stay in close contact with the rapporteur and shadow rapporteurs. Following a successful committee vote in early July, the report will move to plenary shortly after the summer recess. Once adopted, it will feed into the Commission’s 2026 Communication, framing EU sport policy. 

Recent Posts

First global carbon calculator for sport: OCEAN Sport CO2 Calculator empowers organisations to take climate action

Brussels, 2 July 2025 – The European Olympic Committees (EOC) EU Office, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) the launch of the OCEAN Sport CO2 Calculator - the first free of charge carbon calculator developed specifically for sport organisations that is available globally. Developed by the Oeko-Institut as […]

Read More
Children‘s rights in focus: How EU priorities echo in sport safeguarding

The EOC EU Office followed with great interest the 15th European Forum on the Rights of the Child, which took place in Brussels on 23–24 June under the theme “Championing Children’s Rights: Building Fair and Resilient Societies”. The Forum reinforced the EU’s commitment to protecting children’s rights across all policies and sectors, with key discussions […]

Read More
EOC EU Office welcomes a delegation of French federations leaders with French NOC

On 25 and 26 June, the EOC EU Office welcomed a delegation from the French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF) as part of their “Parcours Ambition Internationale”. This visit aimed to strengthen the international engagement of French sports leaders. Folker Hellmund (Director), Eva Rebmann (Deputy Director), Carlotta Giussani (Head of Funding) and Iva Glibo (Funding Officer) […]

Read More

Related Posts

July 2, 2025
First global carbon calculator for sport: OCEAN Sport CO2 Calculator empowers organisations to take climate action

Brussels, 2 July 2025 – The European Olympic Committees (EOC) EU Office, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) the launch of the OCEAN Sport CO2 Calculator - the first free of charge carbon calculator developed specifically for sport organisations that is available globally. Developed by the Oeko-Institut as […]

June 27, 2025
Children‘s rights in focus: How EU priorities echo in sport safeguarding

The EOC EU Office followed with great interest the 15th European Forum on the Rights of the Child, which took place in Brussels on 23–24 June under the theme “Championing Children’s Rights: Building Fair and Resilient Societies”. The Forum reinforced the EU’s commitment to protecting children’s rights across all policies and sectors, with key discussions […]

June 27, 2025
EOC EU Office welcomes a delegation of French federations leaders with French NOC

On 25 and 26 June, the EOC EU Office welcomed a delegation from the French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF) as part of their “Parcours Ambition Internationale”. This visit aimed to strengthen the international engagement of French sports leaders. Folker Hellmund (Director), Eva Rebmann (Deputy Director), Carlotta Giussani (Head of Funding) and Iva Glibo (Funding Officer) […]

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