EU Affairs

The Covid-19 pandemic has truly highlighted the role of the fitness and physical activity sector as a tool of prevention in its promotion of healthy lifestyles and fighting of inactivity, as well as its connection with sustainability. Thus, during the European Week of Regions, the immense potential which the sports and the physical activity sectors have in the European Commission’s top political priorities of the European Green Deal and Green Transition were outlined.

Last week, EuropeActive sent a sectoral Declaration for Action to the presidents of the EU institutions inviting them to join us in the promotion of physical activity for social, mental and physical wellbeing. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow, European policy and decision-makers must recognise that fitness centres and health clubs provide essential services, through boosting the immunity and resilience of European citizens. 

During the final weeks of September, EuropeActive participated in the numerous online EU policy conferences and events took place. Here you will find a brief overview of the most relevant sessions. 

The European Research and Innovation Days, which took place between 22-24 September, and were full of interesting and exciting insights on the future of R&I in Europe. 

Health-enhancing physical activity took centre stage at this year’s #BEACTIVE conference on Thursday, September 24. The event, as part of the European Week of Sport, was live-streamed from Frankfurt and under the theme of Be(come) Active there were many positive insights for the fitness sector. 

Cancer is one of the main priorities of the European Commission on the health domain. Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP) aims to address cancer across the EU, setting out areas of focus and priorities for Commission action, which supports EU Member States. It is based on four key pillars: prevention, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life.

Following up on the launch of a public consultation of the plan on 4 February 2020, the European Commission invited stakeholders to participate in a virtual town hall meeting on 10 September, which EuropeActive had the opportunity to attend.

On 16th September 2020, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave her maiden State of the Union address to the European Parliament. The State of the Union, as prescribed in the 2010 Framework, requires the President of the Commission to address the Parliament in September and outline the priorities for the Commission until the end of the upcoming year.

Every year from 23-30 September, millions of Europeans from across the continent celebrate physical activity during the European Week of Sport. Even though this year’s edition will of course be quite different from previous editions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a whole range of events and activities will be organised, on-line and off-line, in every European country to promote active lifestyles.

On Tuesday 1^st September, the AAL Programme hosted a webinar on the European Commission’s recently published Report on the Impact of the Demographic change in Europe. The Report takes a deep look at the drivers of this long-term change and the impact it is having across Europe.

EuropeActive is recognised by the EU Commission as one of the most active partners of the European Week of Sport - #BeActive Campaign since its first edition in 2015. Last year the Week’s 28K events took place in 42 countries involving 15 million Europeans. The week takes place from 23 – 30 September. Read all about this year’s initiatives from EuropeActive below.

EuropeActive is very much looking forward to welcoming our national associations partners to the 2nd European Fitness Associations Forum (EFAF) in Cologne, Germany, on Thursday October 1st.