On 11 September 2025, EuropeActive participated in the SHARE 2.0 Annual Conference in Brussels - a key moment to reflect on 18 months of progress (Ideas papers) and to consider the future of this growing network that promotes sport and physical activity across Europe. The event gathered around 200 stakeholders from across the continent for lively discussions on current priorities in our field.
The conference opened with a keynote by Georg Häusler, DG EAC Director for Culture, Creativity & Sport, who announced that Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) will receive stronger political backing, with revised Council Recommendations on HEPA expected in 2027 - a milestone to which EuropeActive looks forward to contributing. The session continued with the official launch and endorsement of the Green Sport Manifesto, a new pledge to sustainability in sport, and a forward-looking discussion on the next phase of SHARE 2.0 (2025–2028).
In his remarks, Giorgio Guazzugli Marini, Head of the European Commission’s Sport Unit, underlined that the European Sport Model (ESM) should evolve to better reflect not only competitive sport but also recreational sport and exercise. By 2026, the Commission will present a Communication on a Strategic Vision for Sport in Europe, aiming to reinforce the ESM.
Throughout the day, EuropeActive contributed to the SHARE 2.0 Communities of Practice (CoPs):
- Health: As a Steering Group member, we emphasised the urgency of boosting public health through physical activity, noting that one in three Europeans is not active enough. We welcomed stakeholders’ decision to prioritise HEPA as the key focus for the future, in line with WHO’s target to reduce physical inactivity levels by 15% by 2030.
- Green Sport: We proposed creating a digital hub to share good practices and strengthen knowledge exchange across Europe.
- Innovation: We called for stronger links between SHARE 2.0 and EU policies, funding, and stakeholders, stressing that innovation in sport and fitness requires cross-sector collaboration - especially in prevention, active ageing, and healthy lifestyles.
EuropeActive also followed a Masterclass on AI for grassroots sports organisations, based on the Innovation CoP’s discussion paper. The session explored EU policy on AI and its potential to support grassroots sport through digital literacy, practical tools, and real-world examples, while addressing risks and opportunities ahead.
EuropeActive team was pleased to reconnect with policymakers and EU stakeholders, and we remain committed to championing the role of our sector in shaping the future of sport and physical activity in Europe through SHARE 2.0 and beyond.
