Brussels, 5 May 2025 – EuropeActive, together with more than 150 signatories from the European and international sport and physical activity ecosystem, has released a coordinated joint statement urging EU institutions to prioritise physical activity and sport in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034.
This united call for action comes at a crucial time, as the European Union begins shaping its next long-term budget. The statement highlights the vital role physical activity and sport play in addressing societal challenges and delivering tangible economic, health, and social benefits — and urges the EU to secure dedicated funding across flagship programmes such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and EU4Health.
“Physical activity and exercise are investments into Europe's future. Countless research demonstrates physical activity is a cost-effective tool for the prevention, management and care of Non-Communicable Diseases, and further contributes to social cohesion and economic prosperity.
As the leading organisation representing the European fitness and physical activity sector, with over 70 million members and an annual revenue of €36 billion, our sector is perfectly aware of physical activity’s untapped potential. It should be considered across EU policy and investment decisions that relate to health, education, urban planning, and sport.” said Kai Troll, CEO of EuropeActive.
Research shows that every €1 invested in grassroot sport generates a return of €5 in broader economic and social benefits. Sport also contributes around 2.12% to the EU’s GDP and employs over 5 million people. But its full potential can only be unlocked with consistent, long-term investment and integration into EU policymaking.
The joint statement outlines five key demands:
- Increase funding for sport and physical activity under the MFF, recognising its impact on health, social inclusion, economy, and security.
- Preserve and expand Erasmus+ Sport, ensuring youth and grassroots projects continue to benefit from mobility and innovation funding.
- Strengthen sport and physical activity’s role in EU4Health, integrating sport into preventive healthcare strategies to combat chronic diseases and mental health challenges.
- Secure investment in sport and physical activity through EU cohesion policies, ensuring sport infrastructure, digital innovation, and environmental sustainability remain priorities.
- Recognise sport as a strategic sector in EU economic policy, ensuring that sport-related SMEs, innovation, and job creation initiatives are protected from cuts.
With more than 150 signatories — including European and International associations, sports federations and clubs, NGOs and businesses — this is one of the largest collective calls ever made on behalf of the European sport and physical activity sector.
The coming months will be crucial. The European Commission, Parliament, and Council are all expected to publish their proposals for the next MFF before the summer. EuropeActive and its partners will continue to engage with decision-makers to ensure that sport and physical activity — along with the communities and industries they support — are recognised as a priority in Europe’s future.
The full joint statement can be read here: https://fesi-sport.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MFF-sport-joint-statement-May-2025.pdf
