Sport and physical activity for local and regional development has recently gained increased importance at EU level and special focus was given during the European Week of Regions and Cities taking place 7-10 October 2019 in Brussels. During the session Sport for active & healthy communities, political and regional stakeholders came together to reflect on the role of sport through both political messages and best practice examples on the contribution of sport to the five investment priorities for Cohesion Policy beyond 2020.
Special guest on the fully booked event was Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics. Alongside its role in promoting physical activity and reducing health related public expenses, sport and fitness was revealed as a direct tool to promote economic and social cohesion at the regional level.
Since 2003, the European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission jointly organise the annual four-day event European Week of Regions and Cities to bring regional and European stakeholders together. Moreover, it is the opportunity during which cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance.
More information about the event can be found here. To see the fully recorded session, please click here.