Possibilities to obtain financial support for projects related to sport are still very limited at European level as the European Union does not have a specific competence in the field of sport.

The EU budget for 2009 foresees for the first time a Preparatory Action in the field of sport. Its objective is to prepare future EU actions in this field in view of the implementation of the sport provisions of the Lisbon Treaty after its ratification, on the basis of priorities defined in the White Paper on Sport.

The Commission is currently preparing the implementation of the Preparatory Action, which will allow for financial support to some selected networks and projects. The conditions for applying for grants will be detailed in a call for proposals which is expected to be published during the second quarter of 2009. You will find updated information on our website.

In addition, sport-related projects can sometimes be eligible in the framework of other EU programmes, which you can find on the following webpage http://ec.europa.eu/sport/faq/faq702_en.htm.

For a more general introduction to EU funding through grants, please go to http://ec.europa.eu/grants/introduction_en.htm. For grants, funds and programmes by EU policy go to http://ec.europa.eu/grants/index_en.htm.



Where can I obtain more information on EU sports policies and activities?

‘What’s new’ contains the latest news articles, press releases, announcements and meeting reports which illustrate the day-to-day involvement of the European Commission in the field of sport.

The ‘Library’ contains a large number of documents relating to sport at EU level and the European Commission's dialogue and cooperation with sport organisations and Member States.

The ‘What we do’ permanent navigation bar on the left of the screen lists sports-related topics enabling you to find information in specific domains.

Several international treaties in the field of sport can be found on the website of the Council of Europe.

On the website of the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO), you can find the ‘International Convention against Doping in Sport’, as well as more general information on UNESCO and sport

How can students and researchers find answers to their queries?

Unfortunately, the Sport Unit lacks the resources to provide personalised information to students or researchers who have specific questions on sport policies in the European Union.

However, we invite you to visit the ‘Library’, where many relevant documents have been published.

The most recent news is published in ‘What’s new’ while older news can be found under 'All News'.

The ‘What we do’ permanent navigation bar on the left of the screen lists sports-related topics enabling you to find information in specific domains.



What is the White Paper on Sport?

As the importance of the sports sector in the European Union continues to increase, a need has arisen for a more coherent approach to sport at the EU level. For that reason, the Commission adopted a  White Paper on Sport on 11 July 2007.

The White Paper will also serve to prepare the implementation of the provisions on sport in the Lisbon Treaty if the Treaty is ratified by all Member States and enters into force.

The White Paper on Sport and the accompanying documents are entirely downloadable here.
To order hard copies of the White Paper or other sport related publications go to 'Library section E Catalogue of Publications'.



What is the EU Sport Forum?

Action no 49 of the Pierre de Coubertin Action Plan annexed to the White Paper on Sport states that the Commission will "provide for a more efficient dialogue structure on sport at EU level, including the organisation of an annual European Sport Forum and thematic discussions with targeted audiences, European sport stakeholders in particular".

The first EU Sport Forum, after the adoption of the White Paper on Sport, will take place in Biarritz on 26-27 November 2008 in connection with the informal meeting of EU Sport Ministers on 27-28 November 2008. High-level representatives of the European Sport Movement and National Olympics Committees will be invited by the European Commission to participate in the Forum.



Where can I find information on recruitment or traineeships at the European Commission?

The website on job opportunities at the European Commission informs you in general on the working conditions at the European Commission.

The European Personnel Selection Office provides information on the European Commission’s recruitment policy.

The Traineeships Office contains information on traineeship opportunities at the European Commission.



Is there an EU sports newsletter?

The Sport Unit does not publish a newsletter, although the European Commission maintains several channels through which citizens can be kept up to date on news, including on sport-related matters, such as the Europa press room.

News from the European Parliament is accessible here.

News from the Council of the European Union can be found here.