When you think of the European Union what might first spring to mind is whether we’re better off in or out of it. You might also think of referendums, rebates, budgets, legislation and laws but would you associate any of these things directly with sport?

European politics is in the public consciousness at the moment and while its link to sport may have far less of a high profile in comparison with other issues, it plays an important supporting role. The European Commission – the executive body of the EU – recognises the autonomy of sports organisations and member states, so doesn’t intervene on issues like organising sports competitions. But many rules that do affect sport at a number of levels – such as media rights and online gambling – emanate directly from Brussels, as do issues like the internal market, employment, health and education.

Where the European Commission can really come in handy is in ensuring that co-ordinated dialogue takes place between European countries – vital for sport which often operates at European and global levels.

The European Commission has also started to provide organisations with vital funding for programmes and projects that can unite countries in a common aim to bring about unified improvement and change.

Anti-doping and match-fixing are perfect examples of issues that can, and arguably have to be, tackled by taking a Europe-wide approach if we are ever to improve integrity in sport.

All aboard
How can we ensure that European countries set the same stringent principles and standards to tackle doping in sport as the UK? European funding can help to address this issue.

Taking the European approach to projects can be a really useful opportunity to exploit, and the Sport and Recreation Alliance has first-hand experience in benefiting from it.

Back in 2009, for example, we set up WILD – the Women’s International Leadership Development programme – to up-skill potential women leaders, level the playing field and help women develop on a Europe-wide basis.

Our most recent work is Better Boards Stronger Sport – a unique project that’s been designed to empower sports organisations to take responsibility for governing their future successfully. To put the funding into context, it helps to look at Europe’s history in this area – which won’t take long as it’s only recently been explored and now confirmed as a dedicated funding stream.

When the Lisbon Treaty came into force in December 2009, it wasn’t just all about attempting to make the EU more democratic, transparent and efficient.
It also meant for the first time that specific provisions could be made to support, co-ordinate and supplement sport policy actions taken by EU member states. In the last couple of years, the EC has been exploring how it can provide specific EU grants to fund a series of pilot projects – or ‘preparatory actions’.
Organisations have already begun to benefit from this pot of funding, making applications around a wide range of particular themes or priorities set by the European Commission – including match-fixing, governance and equality.

This has been a ‘preparatory’ phase for the EU to work out how it can best provide policy support to the field of sport. In other words, they’ve been laying the foundations. After dipping its toe in the water, the EU has now confirmed it will commit itself to setting aside a long-term and dedicated funding system for sport for all member countries. It has also announced that 2014 will mark the first time it will be administered and money from the fund distributed.

Getting it right
So how should this funding be spent, can your organisation benefit, and if so, how should you apply?

Funding applications are open to all public bodies and not-for-profit organisations that operate in a country which is a member of the European Union. One of the most important things to bear in mind is that this funding cannot be used to repair or invest in buildings or facilities – nor can it be used to fund a national or local project.

In order to be eligible, your project should deliver a co-ordinated programme of activity across a number of European countries. You also need to demonstrate how you will run your project, together with equivalent partner organisations in other EU member states. In the spirit of Europe’s ethos to be equal and transparent, all not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for grants and amounts are awarded on a case-by-case basis.

Funding amounts have fluctuated every year, but in 2014, sport will for the first time have its own dedicated EU budget worth around €30m (US$40m, £26m) per year to be divided between successful applicants. 

Looking for assistance
At the Sport and Recreation Alliance we help our members, who range from the Football Association and British Rowing to the Ramblers and the British Wheel of Yoga to run their organisations as effectively as possible.

EU funding is just one of the many tools that can be worth exploiting to achieve this aim. As the umbrella body for the sport and recreation sector, we’re always keen to hear ideas about how we can bring about unified changes and improvement in sport – and at the moment Europe and all its institutions have an incredibly important part to play.