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Sport , Source: Pixabay

The regions and cities of the European Union collaborate with UEFA for investment in sports

The regions and cities of the European Union collaborate with UEFA for investment in sports

They set out a joint declaration

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) have joined forces to improve accessibility to EU funding for sports. The two bodies highlight the importance that EU regional investment and EU cohesion policy plays in supporting regions deliver sports locally, and its subsequent role in promoting territorial cohesion across Europe.

In a joint declaration signed by the CoR's President Lambertz and UEFA First Vice-President Karl-Erik Nilsson, they highlight that:

  • Sport makes important contribution to the achievement of the strategic objectives of the EU's cohesion policy and the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • The European Commission's proposal to double Erasmus funding in the next long term EU budget (which will cover the period 2021–27) and the attention paid to grassroots sport, good-governance and integrity in sport is a welcome step forward.
  • At present, a lack of sport-based policies and a lack of infrastructure for grassroots sport are two of the main obstacles standing in the way of free and equal access to sports activities for all citizens, including people with disabilities. Ensuring universal access to sports activities is key to enable economic and social development and increase the overall number of people involved in sporting activites.
  • The contribution of sport to strengthening economic development and fostering social inclusion should be better recognised. The regulations governing the European Structural and Investment Funds and other appropriate European policies should support sport-based policies including investment in physical sports infrastructures in order to enhance solidarity and prosperity through sport.
  • The CoR and UEFA agree to work together within the #CohesionAlliance for a strong cohesion policy that promotes economic, social and territorial cohesion across the EU post-2020.

Source: European Committee of the Regions

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