The European Union (EU) has classed sport – and grassroots sport especially – as an “important activity”, citing its contribution to the EU economy and the value it contributes to society.

The decision – made partly due to the burgeoning obesity crisis – has resulted in an increasing number of grants and funding streams being made available for projects and initiatives which seek to increase physical activity.

Structured funding
Nowhere is the EU’s fresh appreciation of sport more evident than at the European Commission (EC) – the EU’s executive body – where the incumbent commissioner for sports, education and culture Tibor Navracsics has brought renewed political emphasis on the topic. Navracsics, a Hungarian with a passion for sport, has said he feels an “obligation” to improve physical activity policy, in order for it to reflect the key role exercise plays in society.

“Commissioner Navracsics has consistently underlined that the promotion of grassroots sports is and should remain at the heart of EU cooperation in the field of sports,” says Navracsics’ deputy Jens Nymand Christensen, speaking to Sports Management. He adds that the benefits of investing in sports infrastructure  – and in providing sports provision – are not limited to tackling the obesity crisis.

“Sport can be an excellent tool for local and regional development, urban regeneration, and employability. This potential has been recognised by the Commission, which believes that the sport sector – through its local anchoring and its employment potential – can make an important contribution to local economies and societies.”

Nymand Christensen adds that sport as an industry could (and should) benefit by making sure it is included in the planning of major infrastructural projects. “The EU has large funding available for structural funds and city generation, and a dimension of that is developing sports facilities in the cities,” he says. “There is a move within the EU to think more innovatively about planning, a need to give cities back life.

“The EU has a very substantial fund development in city generation and the ball is in the camp of the local authorities and governments. I’d urge sports organisations to talk to their local authorities about town planning as part of their strategy to secure sports funding from the EU.”

Direct funding is now available
As well as funding sport as part of larger infrastructure projects, the EU has a created number of direct funding streams exclusive to sport. One of the most significant is Erasmus+, which is open to not-for-profit sports organisations wishing to carry out pan-European grassroots sport projects. Launched in 2013, the seven-year programme is set to allocate more than €265m (£209.5m, US$302.1m) by the time it closes in 2020.

As well as getting people active, the objectives of the Erasmus+ programme include tackling cross-border threats to the integrity of sport – such as intolerance – and to promote voluntary activities in sport. “Support to grassroots sport is a clear priority in the Erasmus+ programme”, Nymand Christensen says.

“Most of the funding through Erasmus is made via the so-called collaborative partnerships, which require the involvement of five organisations from five different programme countries and allow for a maximum grant of €400,000 (£316,160, US$455,986).

“We encourage individual sports clubs and organisations to submit project proposals to receive funding under Erasmus+ and we’ve done a lot of work to inform sports stakeholders about existing opportunities. For the past three years, for example, we’ve held a Sports Info Day to give concrete guidance on both our policy priorities and the practical aspects of submitting an application.”

Taking it abroad
One of those to have benefitted from Erasmus+ funding is AMsportstours – an organisation combining sport with education through “soccer camp” experiences. Founded by former professional footballer and current Northern Ireland assistant coach Austin MacPhee, AMsportstours received funding for its “Sports Coaching Development – A step nearer to the workplace” project, which offered young students from its partner colleges the opportunity to immerse themselves into another culture, while developing their coaching skills.

A total of 61 participants studying for their higher national certificates (HNC) and diplomas (HND) in sports coaching were selected for two-week placements – organised by AMsportstours’ partner organisations Athlete Sports Academy (Sweden) and Takeball (Spain). The aim of the programme was to offer learners hands-on experience of working abroad in new environments, while developing their capacity to manage and deliver high quality coaching sessions.

Nymand Christensen adds that for 2016, funding will also be made available for smaller projects.

“This year will be the first time Erasmus+ will fund small collaborative partnerships – three organisations from three programme’s countries – with a maximum amount of €60,000 (£47,424, US$68,397). This is were designed having smaller organisations and grassroots activities in mind,” he says.