Every September, the President of the European Commission delivers the State of the Union address (SOTEU) before the European Parliament. This speech sets out the Commission’s priorities for the year ahead, outlines its political vision, and often serves as a compass for the EU’s legislative and policy agenda.
In her 2025 address, delivered on 10 Semptember, President Ursula von der Leyen opened with powerful words about the challenges Europe faces: “Europe is in a fight – for a free and independent Europe, for our values and democracy, for the liberty to determine our own destiny. A fight for our future […]. This must be Europe’s independence moment”. This emphasis on resilience, independence, and unity framed the rest of the address, which gave significant attention to geopolitics, the war in Ukraine, the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and Europe’s global competitiveness.
✅ Health & Prevention
While sport and physical activity were not explicitly mentioned, the speech did highlight health. Von der Leyen announced a Global Health Resilience Initiative and underlined the importance of preparing for future health emergencies. This aligns with EuropeActive’s mission to place prevention and healthy lifestyles at the core of Europe’s health strategy, where physical activity plays a proven and essential role.
✅ Sustainability & Competitiveness
Von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s determination to stay on course with the European Green Deal and noted that Europe is on track to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030. These efforts are not only about energy and industry — they also shape the conditions for sustainable development across all sectors. For the sport and fitness industry, this represents both a challenge and an opportunity to lead on green innovation, sustainable facilities, and environmentally conscious practices.
✅ Skills & Inclusion
The address underlined that competitiveness is not only about markets but also about people: “When we talk about competitiveness we talk about jobs. We are talking about people and their livelihoods.” The Commission announced the Quality Jobs Act, continued investment in the Union of Skills, and a commitment to eradicating poverty by 2050. These priorities resonate with EuropeActive’s goals of strengthening the skills of the sport and fitness workforce, creating quality jobs, and promoting social inclusion through physical activity.
For EuropeActive and its members, this is a moment to connect our work to the broader European vision: contributing to healthier communities, building a sustainable and competitive industry, strengthening skills and jobs, and promoting inclusion across Europe.
