Shaping EU sport

Presidency

Greece Period: January–June 2014 EU Council: 21 May 2014 Minister responsible: Panos PANAGIOTOPOULOS, Minister for Culture and Audiovisual and Sport Sport Working Party Chair: Kalliopi NEDELKOU

Adopted EU Council Policy Documents

Council Conclusions on the Contribution of sport to the EU economy, and in particular to addressing youth unemployment and social inclusion. Summary Full text Source

The Council recognises that sport makes a significant contribution to the European economy and can play an important role in addressing youth unemployment and promoting social inclusion. It notes that the sport sector accounts for a considerable share of the EU’s gross value added and employment, and that it has proven relatively resilient during economic crises.

The conclusions emphasise that participation in sport helps young people develop key skills such as teamwork, leadership, discipline and responsibility, which can improve their employability. Volunteering in sport is also acknowledged as an important means of gaining experience and fostering active citizenship.

The Council invites Member States and the European Commission to promote the exchange of good practices, encourage the recognition of skills acquired through sport, invest in small-scale infrastructure, and make use of existing EU funding instruments. It also underlines the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation between sport, education, employment and social policies.

Council Conclusions on Gender Equality in Sport. Summary Full text Source

The conclusions underline that gender equality is a fundamental principle of the European Union and remains insufficiently realised in sport. They note that women continue to participate less than men in sport, are under-represented in decision-making and leadership roles, and face stereotypes, violence and harassment in the sporting environment.

The document emphasises sport’s potential to promote equal opportunities, develop competences, boost employability and foster social inclusion. It invites Member States to adopt national strategies, action plans and targeted educational materials to eliminate gender stereotypes, ensure gender balance in management and coaching, and protect persons from gender-based violence in sport.

The Commission is called upon to mainstream gender equality in all sport policies, support transnational initiatives and research, develop gender-budgeting and impact-assessment tools, and promote gender equality as a criterion in sport funding and governance.

Council Resolution on the European Union Work Plan for Sport (2014-2017). Summary Full text Source

The Work Plan acknowledges that under Articles 6 and 165 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union the EU has a supporting, coordinating and supplementary competence in the field of sport. It recognises that the previous Work Plan for Sport (2011-2014) delivered progress and that sport can help achieve the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The document sets out the period 2014-2017 as a strategic timeframe in which Member States and the EU institutions will work together to deepen the European dimension in sport. Priority themes include the economic dimension of sport (innovation, legacy of major events, sustainable financing), and sport and society (health-enhancing physical activity, volunteering, employment, education and training in sport).

Finally, the Plan stresses that it may be revised in light of emerging policy developments, and calls on all relevant actors—public authorities, sport organisations and stakeholders—to engage in dialogue, share best practice, and monitor progress towards common objectives.

Policy Debate Topic: The ecomonic, social and environmental sustainability of major sport events. Guest speakers: Gordon Arthur, Chief Communication Officer of Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Background paper