Sport must be recognised as a strategic investment in Europe’s future and as a vital part of its social infrastructure in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034. This was the key message delivered by EPP-CoR President Sari Rautio and CoR rapporteur on the future Erasmus+ programme Roberto Pella during the high-level event “The Enabling Role of Sport to Achieve EU Objectives and Future Support via the Multi-Annual Financial Framework 2028–2034”, organised by the European Committee of the Regions and the European Olympic Committees EU Office at the CoR headquarters in Brussels, in the presence of European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef. Both speakers highlighted the crucial contribution of local and regional authorities, grassroots sport organisations and volunteers in advancing social inclusion, skills development, community resilience and territorial cohesion, while calling for stronger EU support, simplified access to funding and a greater role for cities and regions in the delivery of EU programmes.

Presenting his vision for the future of Erasmus+, Roberto Pella, Mayor of Valdengo stressed that the next programme must reach more young people and more territories, particularly in rural, peripheral and disadvantaged areas that often face barriers in accessing EU opportunities. He called for increased resources, stronger local implementation and simpler procedures to enable municipalities, regions and grassroots organisations to participate more effectively. As he stated: “Continuing to invest in Erasmus+ means investing in a future of peace for Europe. It means believing in talent, solidarity, and social and territorial mobility. It means building a more competitive, more inclusive Union and, above all, one that is closer to young people, empowering them to shape their own future.” Pella also underlined the importance of strengthening the sport dimension of Erasmus+, supporting vocational excellence centres and ensuring that local and regional authorities have the tools and resources needed to bring European opportunities closer to citizens.

Sari Rautio, the CoR rapporteur on the next MFF emphasised that sport should no longer be viewed as an optional policy area but as an essential component of Europe's social infrastructure. She stressed that local sports clubs are often the first places where young people learn responsibility, teamwork, respect and a sense of belonging, while also bringing together different generations and communities through the dedication of volunteers. Rautio, who also serves as Chairperson of the Finnish paralympic committee, called for the future European Social Fund to explicitly support sport-based social inclusion projects and for National and Regional Partnership Plans to be designed with a strong territorial dimension and genuine involvement of local and regional authorities. She also advocated simplified access to EU funding for grassroots organisations and stronger synergies between Erasmus+, the future European Social Fund and regional development funding to support inclusive, accessible and sustainable sport initiatives across Europe's cities and regions.

The event brought together representatives of European institutions, Members of the European Parliament, local and regional authorities, the sports movement and other stakeholders to discuss how sport can contribute to key EU priorities, including social inclusion, education, skills development, health, community building and regional development. The debate comes at a crucial moment following the European Commission’s presentation of its proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034. While Erasmus+ remains the principal EU funding instrument supporting sport, discussions are ongoing on how sport and sport organisations can be better recognised and integrated across the future EU budget, including through the National and Regional Partnership Plans, the European Regional Development Fund and the future European Social Fund. Participants underlined that empowering local and regional authorities will be essential to ensuring that EU investment in sport delivers tangible benefits for communities across Europe.
 

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