European Association of Sport Employers
EASE
EASE est une organisation associative indépendante à but non lucratif.
ID: 537154996848-30
Lobbying Activity
Response to A strategic vision for sport in Europe: reinforcing the European sport model
8 Dec 2025
EASE welcomes the Commissions initiative to reinforce the European Sport Model and highlights ten priorities essential for ensuring a socially responsible, sustainable, and inclusive sport ecosystem in Europe. 1. Integrating the European Social Charter for Sport Events (ESCSE). The ESCSE should become a core reference for the European Sport Model. Developed through Erasmus+ with major event organisers, it provides concrete standards on governance, workforce conditions, and sustainability (see attached). Its EU-level recognition would harmonise practices and strengthen public trust in sport events. 2. Strengthening social dialogue. Social dialogue must be recognised as a structural pillar of the Model. Regular involvement of employers and workers organisations, in line with Article 154 TFEU, is crucial to improving working conditions. The EU should support the establishment of social dialogue structures across the sector, in the aim of relaunching this dialogue in European sport. 3. Reinforcing Erasmus+ Sport and mainstreaming sport across EU policies. Erasmus+ Sport should prioritise projects that directly contribute to the European Sport Modelcapacity-building, governance, solidarity, inclusion and sustainability. Increased funding would empower key actors to deliver EU objectives. Beyond Erasmus+, sport must be systematically integrated into Education & Training, Youth, EU4Health, social inclusion, gender equality, digital and green transition programmes, and initiatives promoting civic and democratic values (CERV). Sport is a strategic lever for public health, learning, employability and community engagement. 4. Recognising the entire sport movement. The Model must reflect the diversity of the sport ecosystem: professional sport, grassroots initiatives, community clubs and leisure sport. Each level has distinct social and economic value. A balanced, holistic approach is essential to maintain cohesion and avoid overemphasis on commercial sport. 5. Addressing energy consumption and sustainability. The energy crisis threatens the viability of many facilities. The EU should support energy efficiency measures, renovation of sport infrastructures, and transition to renewable energy. Awareness-raising and advisory actions are necessary to help organisations meet sustainability goals. 6. Promoting financial solidarity. Solidarity between levels and disciplines is a defining feature of the European Sport Model. The EU should encourage mechanisms that redistribute resources towards grassroots sport, youth development, and local infrastructure, ensuring long-term resilience and fairness. 7. Safeguarding the Model from disruptive initiatives. The Commission should protect the principles of open competition, sporting merit, solidarity and democratic governance. Closed or breakaway competitions undermine these values and threaten the coherence of the European sport pyramid. Clear legal safeguards are needed to ensure the integrity of the system. 8. Developing a European framework for sport event organisation. The EU should promote a coherent model for organising events, building on the ESCSE and on host countries priorities such as economic impact, inclusion, community legacy and sustainability. This would maximise positive outcomes and support responsible event management. 9. Supporting organisations in dealing with new technologies and AI. Digital tools and AI reshape training, management, data protection and media. The EU should provide guidance, training and risk-prevention resources to ensure responsible, ethical and safe adoption of these technologies within the sport sector. 10. Strengthening federative and intermediary structures. Federations, leagues, and employers and workers organisations are essential to structuring the sector, organising solidarity and disseminating good practices. The EU should support their coordinating role to ensure a cohesive, inclusive and sustainable European Sport Model.
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