European Aquatics among signatories to EOC and FESI calls for increased sport and physical activity support in future EU Budget
European Aquatics (EA) has added its support to two key initiatives urging European Union (EU) institutions to prioritise sport and physical activity in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034.
The calls come from the Olympic movement and from within the EU itself.
The EA is a signatory to a European Olympic Committees (EOC) statement providing “a series of recommendations from the European Olympic movement to better embed sport into the different programmes of the next MFF, as the signatories firmly believe that adequate funding must be allocated to the sport sector.”
The EOC statement is backed by the International Olympic Committee, the European Paralympic Committee, 48 National Olympic Committees and major international, European and national federations including European Athletics.
The EA is also among more than 150 signatories to a joint statement organised by FESI – the European Structural and Investing Funds body – urging European Union (EU) institutions to prioritise sport and physical activity in the upcoming MFF.
This statement concludes: “We, the undersigned organisations, stand united in our call for continued and strengthened support for sport and physical activity in the EU budget.
“Cutting sport funding would be a short-sighted decision with long-term negative consequences for European society, economy, and health.
“Sport is not an expendable luxury. It is a strategic investment in Europe’s future. Sport is essential!”
Other signatories include sporting bodies Badminton Europe, EuroHockey, the European School Sport Association, the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education and Laureus Sport for Good, as well as sportswear manufacturers Nike, Puma, Speedo and Decathlon and the Federation of European sporting goods retail associations.
The EOC statement includes detailed recommendations in four main areas: the mainstreaming of sport, the Erasmus + programme, pilot projects and preparatory actions, and EU Regional and Development Funds.
The FESI document, described as “one of the largest collected calls ever made on behalf of the European sport and physical activity sector”, also urges the EU to secure dedicated funding across flagship programmes such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe and EU4Health.
It points out: “Research shows that every euro invested in grassroots sport generates a return of five euros in broader economic and social benefits. Sport also contributes around 2.12% to the EU’s GDP and employs over five million people. But its full potential can only be unlocked with consistent, long-term investment and integration into EU policymaking.”
The full joint statement from FESI can be read here: https://fesi-sport.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MFF-sport-joint-statement-May-2025.pdf
Mike Rowbottom for European Aquatics
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