The Council adopted a resolution on a European Union Work Plan for Sport (2011-2014). Ministers warmly welcomed this first EU Work Plan in a new area of competence introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, which gives the EU a new supporting, coordinating and supplementing competence for sport, while respecting both the autonomy of national sport governing structures and the competences of the member states.
The Work Plan acknowledges the important contribution of sport to the overall goals of the Europe 2020 strategy, given the sector's strong potential to contribute to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and new jobs and considering its positive effects on social inclusion, education and training, as well as on public health and active ageing. It sets out the following priority areas:
In order to address these priorities, Member States and the Commission agreed to establish several expert groups for the next three years. In addition to these groups, other working methods may include Presidency conferences, informal meetings of sports directors and ministers, Commission studies and conferences.
In the first half of 2014, the Council will evaluate the implementation of the Work Plan, on the basis of a report prepared by the Commission by the end of 2013.