EU FUNDING

EU and funding

Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027

The EU’s budget for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 is set at €1.211 trillion, averaging at around €173 billion per year. Accordingly, the European Commission’s Political Guidelines for the legislative session 2019-2024 focus on six thematic headlines:

A European Green Deal
A Europe fit for the digital age
An economy that works for the people
A stronger Europe in the world
Promoting a European way of life
A new push for European democracy.

These priorities manifest themselves through a number of different policy areas, targets, actions, and impacts (including on the sport sector), and are supported through specific funding programmes. Accordingly, the available funding programmes address relevant policy fields through the establishment of more than 40 different programmes supporting Member States and ad-hoc third countries associated with the specific programmes to develop and implement EU and national policies.

Funding for the sports in the European Union

The EOC EU Office published the third edition of its Funding Brochure namely “Funding for Sport in the European Union 2021-2027” in October 2021. The Funding Brochure provides key information, identifies relevant sources of funding opportunities and contains practical tips on how to approach the different stages of a project cycle: from project idea to the real management and implementation of an EU project. Accordingly, it provides a range of examples of projects that were successfully financed by the European Union in previous years. Hence, the Funding Brochure aimed to be a timely and concrete guide to assist European National Olympic Committees (ENOCs) and sport federations in understanding the available opportunities under the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027.

The EOC EU Office brochure "Funding for Sport in the European Union 2021-2027" is designed to support European NOCs and therefore is exclusively available to European NOCs and EOC EU Office partners. For more information, please contact us at info@euoffice.eurolympic.org

MORE INFO ABOUT THE BROCHURE

Centralised vs Decentralised Programmes

An important distinction should be made between centralised and decentralised programmes. The centralised programmes are overseen and managed by six EU Executive Agencies and are not under the responsibility of Member States.

In contrast, centralised programmes are instead partially or fully implemented with the support of entities at the national or regional level which is responsible for the management of the whole cycle of the respective funding programmes and their implementation, ultimately. Yet, some programmes are both centralised and decentralised. For example, the Erasmus+ is managed by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) but also by designated National Agencies located in different Member States, depending on the type of activity.
IMPORTANT: The difference between centralised and decentralised programmes is crucial because it determines where to apply, who selects projects, how funds are distributed and who to contact!

EU Funding Programmes most relevant for sport-sector

There are a number of programmes which appear more suitable to finance a range of sport-related activities among which:

Erasmus+

To the Programm

Centralised

Key Action 2:
• Partnerships for cooperation
• Not-for-profit European sport events
• Capacity building in the field of sport

Managed by: European Education and Culture Executive Agency

Decentralised

Key Action1:
Mobility projects in the field of sport

Managed by: National Agencies

Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions (PPPAs)

To the Programm

Centralised

The specific call of the PPPAs in sports change yearly according to the EU priorities, yet some continuity can be seen across years.

Managed by: European Education and Culture Executive Agency

European Solidarity Corps

To the Programm

Centralised

Solidarity Activities:
• Volunteering teams in high priority areas
Humanitarian Aid related
Solidarity Activities:
• Humanitarian aid volunteering projects

Managed by: European Education and Culture Executive Agency

Decentralised

Solidarity Activities:
• Volunteering projects (team/individual)
• Solidarity projects

Managed by: National Agencies

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

To the Programm

Decentralised

The ERDF Regulation sets out its main objectives and funding targets. Yet, each managing authority can implement its
own Operational Programme with specific funding opportunities and priorities based on the needs and demands of each region.

Managed by: Managing Authorities

European Social Fund+

To the Programm

Centralised

Employment and Social Innovation

Managed by: Directorate General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Decentralised

European Social Fund+

Managed by: Managing Authorities

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

To the Programm

Decentralised

The Common Agricultural Policy Funds sets out the main objectives. Yet, each managing authority implement national and regional development programmes based on the needs and demands of each region.

Managed by: Managing Authorities

European Territorial Cooperation (INTERREG)

To the Programm

Decentralised

INTERREG A
• Cross-Border Cooperation
INTERREG B
• Transnational Cooperation
INTERREG C
• Interregional Cooperation
INTERREG D
• Outermost Regions’ Cooperation

Managed by: Managing Authorities

EU4Health

To the Programm

Centralised

• Europe’s beating cancer plan
• Disease prevention
• Crisis preparedness
• Health systems/Healthcare workforce
• Digital

Managed by: European Health and Digital Executive Agency

Environment and Climate Action (LIFE)

To the Programm

Centralised

Environment
• Nature & Biodiversity
• Circular economy & quality of life
Climate Action
• Climate change mitigation & adaptation
• Clean energy transition

Managed by: Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency

Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values

To the Programm

Centralised

• Union values
• Daphne
• Equality, rights and gender equality
• Citizen engagement and participation

Managed by: Directorate General for Justice and Consumers

Horizon Europe

To the Programm

Centralised

PILLAR II Global challenges & European industrial competitiveness
• Health
• Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society
• Climate, Energy & Mobility

Managed by: Responsible Executive Agency depends on the specific policy field.

EOC EU Office Services on EU Funding

● Identify, monitor and analyse EU-funding opportunities for sport organisations
● Inform European NOCs and partners on ongoing developments and opportunities
● Provide ad-hoc training for European NOCs and partners on EU funding
● Manage EU sport-related projects and support European NOCs and partners active in EU projects
● Organise and attend meetings, events, seminars and conferences in-person and online.

EU FUNDING

Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027

Funding for the sports in the European Union

Centralised vs Decentralised Programmes

EU Funding Programmes most relevant for sport-sector

Erasmus+

Centralised

Decentralised

Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions (PPPAs)

Centralised

European Solidarity Corps

Centralised

Decentralised

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Decentralised

European Social Fund+

Centralised

Decentralised

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

Decentralised

European Territorial Cooperation (INTERREG)

Decentralised

EU4Health

Centralised

Environment and Climate Action (LIFE)

Centralised

Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values

Centralised

Horizon Europe

Centralised

EOC EU Office Services on EU Funding

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