Brussels, 22 October 2026 – EuropeActive welcomes the European Parliament’s plenary vote on 22 October in favour of increasing the dedicated allocation for sport and physical activity under the future Erasmus+ programme 2028–2034 from 1.9% to 4.1% of the programme’s budget.
With 454 MEPs voting in favour, Parliament has backed an overall Erasmus+ budget of €47.39 billion in current prices, compared with the €40.83 billion proposed by the European Commission in July 2025. This sends a strong political message: sport and physical activity are not a luxury, but a direct investment in Europe’s future health, economy and social cohesion.
EU funding is key in supporting sector stakeholders collaborate and learn from their peers, which directly benefits the general population by increasing the offer, quality, and relevance of our sector’s fitness and physical activities. Physical activity is one of the most cost-effective tools to improve individual’s health and social well-being, and their productivity. Unlocking this potential requires sustained investment in healthier lifestyles and stronger cooperation across sectors.
EuropeActive congratulates Rapporteur Bogdan Zdrojewski and his team, as well as the Members of the European Parliament who supported a stronger allocation for sport and physical activity. While the proposed increase from 1.9% to 4.1% represents significant progress, EuropeActive will continue to advocate for the 5% ambition throughout the next stages of the process.
This vote follows more than a year of advocacy by EuropeActive and partners of the Sport and Physical Activity Coalition. This notably included a joint statement uniting 116 organisations, including 22 EuropeActive members, that called for stronger support for sport and physical activity in the next MFF, while more than 150 organisations have mobilised around stronger recognition and funding for sport and physical activity in the next Erasmus+ programme and EU budget.
There is still work to do. The next stage will be negotiations with Member States in the Council, which will help determine the final programme and its funding. EuropeActive calls on national governments to build on Parliament’s position and maintain a strong, clearly identified allocation for sport and physical activity.
EuropeActive will continue working with its coalition partners and engaging with EU and national decision-makers to advance these priorities. Ensuring that the Erasmus+ programme is backed by sufficient resources will be essential to building a more active, healthier and more cohesive Europe.
