Commission unveils first-ever sport package

The European Commission adopted new proposals in January 2011 aimed at strengthening the societal, economic and organisational dimensions of sport. Athletes, sport organisations and citizens are expected to benefit from the plans, which flow from the EU's new role under the Lisbon Treaty to support and coordinate sport policy in the Member States.

Action is foreseen in areas where challenges cannot be sufficiently dealt with at national level alone. The Commission's proposals follow a consultation with Member States and sport stakeholders and take account of the experience gained in implementing the 2007 White Paper on Sport.

In 2009-2010 the Commission provided more than €6 million to support around 40 sport projects aimed at promoting health, social inclusion, volunteering, access for the disabled, gender equality and the fight against doping. Twelve new projects will be launched in 2011.

European Commission: Press Release: IP/11/43: Commission strengthens the European dimension of sport http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/43&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

ESO: Background information: Sports policy to fall victim of EU budget row / Sports ministers kick off EU policy dialogue http://www.europeansources.info/record/sports-policy-to-fall-victim-of-eu-budget-row-sports-ministers-kick-off-eu-policy-dialogue/

European Commission: Sport: News: Communication on Sport adopted, January 2011 http://ec.europa.eu/sport/news/news984_en.htm

EUObserver, 19.1.11: EU tackles club debt in sport proposal http://euobserver.com/9/31664

---