Whether on the pitch, through work, enterprise or education, sport brings people together. From a high-level perspective, sport also acts as a way for Member States, EU institutions and organisations to coordinate sporting activities, policies and initiatives.

Sport can be a prevalent aspect of building a fairer, more inclusive and more vibrant society and economy. To this end, the European Commission continues to work closely with Member States in the field of sport, and has also highlighted the need to strengthen ties with sport organisations and enterprises.

The EU Work Plan and Expert Groups

Dialogue with Member States takes place primarily via actions set out in the EU Work Plan for Sport, which sets out key topics that Member States and the Commission will prioritise for actions, partnerships and initiatives. The new (2021-2024) work plan focuses on integrity and values in sport, the socio-economic and environmental dimensions of sport and the promotion of participation in sport, as well as health-enhancing physical activity.

Following the adoption of the fourth EU Work Plan for Sport, the Commission set up 2 expert groups to look at particular areas related to sport policy. Both groups include experts from EU Member States. European and international sporting bodies can be invited as observers. These expert groups focus on the following topics

• green sport
• strengthening the recovery and the crisis resilience of the sport sector during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic

Find out more about the outcomes of these group meeting establishing the EU Work Plan for Sport.

High-level Group on Gender Equality in sport

The new EU Gender Equality Strategy 2021-2025 promotes a Union where women and men, girls and boys, in all their diversity, are free to pursue their chosen path in life, have equal opportunities to thrive, and can equally participate in and lead our European society. Sport should be no exception.

To achieve this, the Commission established a High-level Group on Gender Equality in Sport. The group, composed of 15 experienced and distinguished individuals in the field of gender equality in sport, worked for a year to deliver recommendations and concrete actions to the Commission,

Member States and the sport community to achieve a better gender balance in sport.
Following the Gender Equality Proposal for strategic actions 2014-2020, the report of the high level group covers 6 thematic areas

1. participation
2. coaching and officiating
3. leadership
4. social and economic aspects of sport
5. media coverage
6. gender-based violence

The report also identified 8 transversal topics to consider when developing actions

1. gender mainstreaming
2. intersectionality
3. gender budgeting and funding
4. policy monitoring and evaluation, research
5. education
6. communication
7. coordinators for gender equality
8. men as allies

Cooperation with sport organisations

To promote the key principles and core values of the European Sport Model, in 2022 the Commission has put in place cooperation agreements with

• the European Olympic Committee
• the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), following those signed in 2014 and 2018