25. 05.10:
Call: Sport
A call was launched on 22 May to support transnational projects based on the 2010 Annual Work Programme for the 'Preparatory Action in the field of Sport' (published on 26 April). The main objective of this initiative is to prepare future EU actions in this field, on the basis of priorities set in the White Paper on Sport. A more ambitious EU Sport Programme is expected in the coming years.
A budget of EUR2.5 million at an 80% co-financing rate is being provided to identify suitable networks and good practices involving partner organisations in at least 5 EU Member States and addressing one of the following areas:
* Anti-doping projects focusing on wide-ranging prevention measures targeting amateur sport, sport for all and/or fitness (an indicative 5 projects at EUR200,000 funding each are to be co-financed);
* Promoting social inclusion, particularly of migrants and persons of foreign origin through sport (5 projects at EUR200,000 each); and
* Promoting volunteering in sport - in particular relating to legal, fiscal and funding-related aspects and issues faced by actors involved in the management and running of sport associations and local sport structures (3 projects at EUR150,000-EUR200,000 each).
Actions will need to extend beyond basic research or one-off conferences.
The EU gained a competence in sport under the Lisbon treaty and European Sports Ministers held their first ever formal meeting on 10 May in Brussels, as part of the Council of Education, Youth and Culture. At this meeting they unanimously agreed to design a common policy which will aim, among other principles, to recognise sport's education and social role (including promoting training, health-enhancing physical activity and social inclusion); support sport structures, especially those of volunteers, and ensure sustainable funding (a study on the financing of grassroots sport in the EU is nearing completion); and encourage values such as the fight against discrimination and xenophobia. The Commission is committed to including these priorities in its upcoming communication on sport which is due to be published in November as a basis for common policies.
