PURPOSE: to develop the European dimension in sport.
BACKGROUND: following the publication of the White Paper on Sport (2007), EU-level cooperation and dialogue on sport have been greatly enhanced. The White Paper includes a description of the specificity of sport and the application of EU law in areas such as the Internal Market and competition to the sport sector. Through the implementation of the White Paper on Sport, the Commission has gathered useful evidence regarding themes to be addressed in the future.
In a number of areas, the White Paper remains an appropriate basis for EU-level activities in the field of sport. These areas include, for example, the promotion of voluntary activity in sport, the protection of minors, and environmental protection. The White Paper has also created a structured dialogue with sport stakeholders.
However, following the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, a new and specific competence gives the EU a supporting, coordinating and supplementing competence for sport which calls for action to develop the European dimension in sport.
This is the reason why the Commission is presenting this communication which retains the same presentation as that of the White Paper: i) the societal role of sport, ii) the economic dimension of sport and iii) the organisation of sport)
CONTENT: while preparing this Communication, the Commission consulted with a wide range of stakeholders. Consultations with the Member States revealed a high level of consensus that the following topics should be priorities in the EU agenda for sport: health-enhancing physical activity; the fight against doping; education and training; voluntary activity and non-profit sport organisations; social inclusion in and through sport, including sport for people with disabilities and gender equality in sport; sustainable financing of grassroots sport; and good governance.
As regards the area of sport, the communication indicates that EU action aims at supporting Member States’ actions and complementing them where appropriate in those sectors where the EU can bring added value. This is particularly the case in regard to combating racism and dealing with the challenges of doping, fraud and match-fixing. EU action also contributes to the overall goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy by improving employability and mobility, notably through actions promoting social inclusion in and through sport, education and training.
In all of the areas elaborated in this Communication, EU action can serve to provide a platform for exchange and dialogue among sport stakeholders, spreading good practice and promoting the development of European networks in the field of sport. In parallel, EU action contributes to the dissemination of knowledge about EU law in the sport sector, but also support for projects and networks to encourage sport (notably in the context of the preparatory actions).
As regards the main themes covered by the communication and in response to the contributions received from the stakeholders, EU action will take place at three levels:
1) The societal role of sport: several actions will be supported:
with regard to the fight against doping, the Commission intends to:
with regard to education, training and qualifications in sport:
with regard to the prevention of and fight against violence and intolerance:
with regard to enhancing health through sport:
with regard to social inclusion in and through sport:
2) The economic dimension of sport: recalling how much the sports sector contributes to growth and employment (it generates 2% of global GDP), the Commission envisages the following actions:
Evidence-based policy-making in the field of sport:
Sustainable financing of sport:
Application of EU State aid rules to sport:
Regional development and employability:
3) The organisation of sport: recalling that good governance in sport is a condition for the autonomy and self-regulation of sport organisations, the Commission envisages the following actions:
in the area of transfer rules and the activities of sports agents:
in the area of European social dialogue in the sport sector:
Follow-up: the Commission will continue to provide support for informal working groups in the field of sport which the Member States wish to continue or establish. The European Parliament and the Council are invited to support the proposals made in this Communication and to indicate their priorities for future activities.