The Council conclusions emphasise that voluntary activities in sport are a key driver of active citizenship and social inclusion. They note that volunteering in sport — whether formal or informal — must remain distinct from paid employment, respect fundamental rights, and cannot replace state responsibility for social rights. 

The document recognises that sport-based volunteering contributes to skills development (teamwork, leadership, tolerance), supports community networks and social capital, and underpins the European values of solidarity and equality. It sets out a set of recommendations: Member States and sport organisations are urged to promote training, recognise and validate volunteer competences, encourage exchange of good practices, simplify administrative burdens, reward volunteers and engage them beyond one-off events. 

The Commission and Member States are invited to study voluntary sport’s social and economic impact, integrate volunteering into sport, education, health and employment policies, and improve access to EU funds for volunteer-led sport activities.

 

This Resolution sets out the arrangements whereby the EU and its Member States coordinate and ensure effective representation in the Foundation Board of WADA and in the preparatory process for WADA meetings. It recognises that both the EU and its Member States have a role in negotiating and adopting anti-doping standards and that a unified European position enhances effectiveness. 

The key provisions allocate three seats on the WADA Foundation Board for Member States at ministerial level: one from the incumbent Trio Presidency of the Council, one from the future Trio Presidency, and one jointly selected “expert at governmental level” from among other Member States. The arrangements become effective from 1 January 2013. 

The Resolution also establishes guidelines for the coordination process of positions ahead of WADA meetings, to be reviewed by the end of 2015. It aims to strengthen cooperation, continuity of representation and the European voice in global anti-doping governance.

 

The Council conclusions identify match-fixing as a significant threat to the integrity of sport, alongside doping. It recognises that because sport has a global reach, manipulation of results and illicit betting networks transcend individual Member States. 

The document emphasises that tackling match-fixing requires strong governance, transparency, financial stability of sporting bodies, effective and dissuasive sanctions, and active cooperation among public authorities, betting operators and the sports sector.

Member States are invited to develop education and awareness programmes, share information and best practices internationally, and commission studies to map the scale and nature of the problem. The European Commission is called upon to support mapping studies, promote awareness, test trans-national prevention projects and consider proposing a Council Recommendation in due course. 

The overall aim is to safeguard the unpredictability of sport, protect its values of fair play and respect for others, and reinforce the European dimension of sport integrity.