Brussels, 8 December 2025 - EuropeActive has co-signed a Joint Statement alongside 116 organisations from across the European sport and physical activity ecosystem. The statement calls on EU institutions to prioritise sport and physical activity in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034 and in the future Erasmus+ Programme.
The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is the EU’s seven-year budget plan, setting overall spending ceilings and defining how resources are allocated across key policy areas. On 16 July 2025, the European Commission presented its first full proposal for the MFF 2028–2034, outlining a budget designed to modernise EU investment, streamline funding tools, and support priorities such as competitiveness, resilience, cohesion, education (including Erasmus+), and external action. In light of this proposal, EuropeActive and the coalition of stakeholders decided to take action to ensure that sport and physical activity are appropriately recognised and supported within the EU’s future funding priorities.
The signatories represent a wide range of stakeholders in the European sport and physical activity ecosystem, including national and European federations, fitness and health organisations, universities, research centres, grassroots initiatives, NGOs, local authorities, and industry partners. The Joint Statement emphasises that sport and physical activity contribute to Europe’s social, economic, and health objectives.
The signatories highlight the sector’s economic and social impact, including its contribution to GDP, employment, health promotion, inclusion, community engagement, skills development, and European values such as solidarity and cooperation. The statement calls for EU policies and funding programmes to better reflect these contributions.
The paper outlines several recommendations for the next MFF:
1. Increasing the overall Erasmus+ budget while maintaining a visible identity for sport and physical activity;
2. Earmarking a dedicated portion of the Erasmus+ budget for sport and physical activity;
3. Ensuring balanced governance at both EU and national levels;
4. Simplifying funding procedures and improving transparency for all organisations;
5. Strengthening links between sport and physical activity, health, education, and inclusion;
6. Supporting sustainability, innovation, and public–private partnerships;
7. Expanding cooperation with neighbouring regions through Erasmus+;
8. Integrating sport and physical activity across all relevant EU funding streams.
Commenting on the statement, EuropeActive CEO Kai Troll said:
‘This joint statement is a powerful call for change. It highlights a simple truth: investing in sport and physical activity is investing directly in Europe’s future health, economy, and social cohesion. Our sector is vital for preventative healthcare and building resilient communities. By co-signing this statement, EuropeActive is ensuring that the voice of the fitness and physical activity sector is front and centre in the discussions about the next EU budget. We urge the EU institutions to act on these recommendations, particularly by ring-fencing a dedicated portion of the Erasmus+ budget for sport and physical activity. This dedicated funding is not an expense, but a strategic investment that will enable our members-from small studios to large operators; to deliver the services Europe needs to get more people, more active, more often.’
EuropeActive continues to engage with EU institutions, Member States, and partners across the sport and physical activity ecosystem to ensure these recommendations are considered in the negotiations for the next MFF.
