Erasmus+ supports grassroots sports

Grassroots sports will be the focus in sports in the EU programme Erasmus+ in 2023 and thus accordingly provided with budget funds. As of 23 November 2022 all organisations that are active in grassroots sports are eligible to apply. Funding will be provided for collaborative partnerships to enable broader and more inclusive access to the sports programme. Particular emphasis will be placed on promoting dual careers for athletes. Ensuring the integrity of sport is to be achieved through learning mobility abroad of staff in grassroots sports, cooperation between organisations and the development of policies in the field of sports and physical activity.

Werner Kogler, vice-chancellor and minister for sport: “Grassroots sports are often the basis for a career as a competitive athlete, and athletes often return to this basis as coaches or officials later on. By means of experience abroad and learning opportunities we also promote the exchange of experience of decision-makers, and additional knowledge will be generated that benefits our athletes.”

As of the beginning of 2023 the OeAD as national agency for Erasmus+ will also coordinate the sports programme in Austria. In addition to the Erasmus+ sectors of Education and Youth networks, partnerships and stays abroad for people involved in grassroots sports will also be supported in the Sport programme. The OeAD’s managing director Jakob Calice says: “The OeAD has decades of expertise in the coordination of Erasmus+ and its predecessor programmes in Austria. It was obvious that this expertise should also be used in sports. We are looking forward to implementing the plans and projects together with the BMKÖS!” The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport (BMKÖS) is the national authority for Erasmus+ Sport.

Erasmus+ Sport also focuses on developing the European dimension of sport by promoting fairness, values and cohesion, and cooperation between organisations responsible for sports. Furthermore, there are small partnerships with shorter terms and simpler requirements, e.g. for less experienced organisations. Specific objectives such as learning mobility of staff in the sports sector and cooperation, quality, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in sports will also be promoted.

Information: sport.erasmusplus.at

Submission: already possible

Budget: around 168,000 euros

Closing date for submissions: 23 February 2023