The traditionally quiet summer months in EU Affairs have truly come to an end as the September buzz picks up once again for the remainder of the year. Here is a concise overview of updates and news relevant to sport and physical activity since our last Brussels Bulletin at the end of June.
2023 Erasmus+ Sport projects selection
Late August, the European Commission published the list of Erasmus+ Sport projects selected for funding under the 2023 call. The later received a record-breaking 1500 proposals in March 2023, which represents a 17% increase from the previous year. Of the 1500 proposals a total of 320 have been selected, under a total budget of EUR 59 million, and are broken down into the following formats: 113 Cooperation partnerships (723 proposals), 180 Small-Scale partnerships (600 proposals), 22 European sport events (114), and 5 Capacity building in the field of sport (63 proposals).
EuropeActive is thrilled to share both its proposals are selected funding, and are looking forward to sharing further details about them in due time. In the meanwhile, here is a sneak peak:
- #BEACTIVE DAY 2024: the fitness and physical activity sector’s flagship campaign has secured 12-month funding, enabling it to unfold for the fourth consecutive year. This new edition will focus on activities for people with disabilities and on raising awareness around making activities more sustainable.
Healthy Lifestyles for Europe: over 30 months this project seeks to extend the Commission’s HealthyLifestyle4All campaign by promoting healthy lifestyle promotion and by further fostering cross-sector collaboration. This project is strongly linked to the European Physical Activity Alliance.
#BeInclusive Awards 2023
The Commission’s annual awards that celebrate the amazing inclusion initiatives that exist in the sport and physical activity world are open for submissions until 28 September 2023. #BeInclusive categories include ‘Breaking Barriers’ dedicated to initiatives and organisations empowering disadvantaged individuals, ‘Promoting Gender Equality’, and ‘Sport for Peace’. Winners receive a EUR 10 000 prize and the runners-up EUR 2500.
Beyond European sport policy
The new Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth (including sport and physical activity), Iliana Ivanova, was approved on 12 September by the European Parliament, and is set to fulfil the role until 31 October 2024. This new appointment comes after former Commissioner Mariya Gabriel stepped down to become Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Bulgaria.
Finally, the Spanish Presidency of the Council started last July, and early September started their series of meetings with European Parliament Committees to present their priorities until the end of the year. Further information about the Spanish Presidency’s priorities, news, and events can be found on their website.