Sport is beneficial for our health and brings people from all walks of life together. Find out how the EU is promoting sport and making it more accessible to everyone.

Championing development and peace in Europe through sport

At a glance: The nominations for the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought; the European Researchers’ Night; and the European Week of Sport.

News in Brief – 25/09/2024 - English

While killing all microorganisms in our bodies may seem tempting to some germaphobes, scientific evidence indicates that beneficial microorganisms (that live in nearly ubiquitous communities called microbiota) are an essential component of human health, and could form a new frontier for personalised medicine to fight non-communicable diseases and improve human health. In this podcast, we’ll look at the microorganisms that live in our bodies and the incredible role they play in assuring our health.

EPRS STOA podcast - What if we killed all microorganisms in our bodies?

Are you or is your child a fan of chess? Children can benefit in all sorts of ways from this sport. Here is what the EU is doing to support national education systems in promoting chess.

This is what Europe does for young chess players in school

Many of you probably often make promises to yourselves to exercise more or start a yoga course. Sports policy is mostly decided by national governments, but the EU takes steps to encourage physical activity and Member State collaboration on sport.

This is what Europe does for people who exercise to keep fit

Do you enjoy outdoor swimming, diving or surfing? Let’s look at how your hobby is made safe.

This is what Europe does for water sports enthusiasts.

Do you never miss any of the major sports competitions on television? The EU helps you with that.

This is what Europe does for fans of major sports and cultural events

Did you cycle to work this morning? If you did, good for you! Not only does cycling help with traffic and pollution, it also makes us less dependent on cars and fuels. Here’s how the EU is supporting cycling across its member states.

This is what Europe does for cyclists

The Erasmus programme is an international student exchange programme that has been running in Europe since 1987, supporting education, training and sport.

The current Erasmus+ 2014 to 2020 spending programme has a budget of €4.7 billion (in current prices).The proposed budget for the 2021 to 2027 programming period has been increased to EUR 30 billion (in current prices) (article 14 of the proposal). The focus of the new programme is on being inclusive and on doing more to reach young people with limited opportunities.

Erasmus - 8th parliamentary term

The Conference on the Future of Europe is a series of citizen-led debates and discussions that enable people from across Europe to share their ideas and help shape our common European future. The European Citizens´panels are an integral part of the CoFoE.

The European Citizens’ Panel on "EU in the world / Migration" will meet at the European Institute for Public Administration in Maastricht and online to deliver its recommendations. In March, the Panel’s report - on the EU’s self-reliance and stability, its place in the world, and all aspects of migration-related issues - will be debated in a Conference Plenary session.

The panels bring together people from different walks of life. Citizens have been chosen randomly by specialist contractors on behalf of the EU institutions, using methodologies that ensure that they are representative of the EU's diversity in terms of geographic origin, gender, age, socioeconomic background and level of education. Young people between 16 and 25 make up one-third of each panel.

These citizens come up with ideas and recommendations that will feed into the overall Conference deliberations, in particular into the Conference Plenaries, and ultimately into the report on its final outcome. The European Citizens’ Panels kicked&nbsp;off with the first 200-citizen meeting 17-19 of September in Strasbourg.

The first sessions of all four Panels took&nbsp;place on&nbsp;Parliament’s premises in Strasbourg and began&nbsp;working on draft recommendations within each Panel’s remit. This first European Citizens’ Panel focused on a stronger economy, social justice, jobs/education, youth, culture, and sport/digital transformation, based on citizens’ contributions collected from across Europe on a Multilingual Digital Platform, as well as support and presentations from prominent academics. The second European Citizens’ Panel focused&nbsp;on European democracy/values, rights, the rule of law, and security. The third panel´s agenda was&nbsp;climate change, environment and health. The fourth on the EU in the world/migration.

Also, the Panels are meeting in four European academic institutions (Dublin, Florence, Natolin/Warsaw, and Maastricht) to finalise their recommendations so they can be discussed at the Conference Plenary.

From 25-27 February&nbsp;the final European Citizens' Panels covering ‘A stronger economy, social justice and jobs / Education, culture, youth and sport / Digital transformation' was held in Dublin. The recommendations will be debated at the Conference Plenary in early March, alongside recommendations from the Panel on 'EU in the world / migration', and from national panels and events.

European Citizens’ Panels

On Europe Day, the Presidents of the European Parliament, Commission and Council received the final report with proposals to reform the EU. During a closing ceremony  in Strasbourg, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, on behalf of the Council Presidency, President Emmanuel Macron, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen received from the Co-Chairs of the Conference Executive Board the final report on the outcome of the Conference.
This one-year journey of discussion, debate and collaboration between citizens and politicians culminated in a report centred around 49 proposals that include concrete objectives and more than 320 measures for the EU institutions to follow up on under nine topics: climate change and the environment; health; a stronger economy, social justice and jobs; EU in the world; values and rights, rule of law, security; digital transformation; European democracy; migration; education, culture, youth and sport. The proposals are based on recommendations made by citizens who met within the European Citizens’ Panels, National Citizens’ Panels and contributed their ideas on the Multilingual Digital Platform.

President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, said: "Citizens - especially young people - are at the heart of our vision for the future of Europe. They have directly shaped the outcome of the Conference. We are at a defining moment of European integration and no suggestion for change should be off-limits. We should not be afraid to unleash the power of Europe to change people’s lives for the better."

Conference on the Future of Europe: closing event

Erasmus+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. It has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion. This is nearly double the funding compared to its predecessor programme (2014-2020).

The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life. It supports priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, Digital Education Action Plan and the European Skills Agenda. The programme also supports the European Pillar of Social Rights implements the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 develops the European dimension in sport. It will improve access to learning and mobility for people who historically have had fewer opportunities to participate – people living with a disability, people living in poverty, in a remote location, people with a migration background, and more. Compared to the previous Erasmus+, the new programme will expand to support mobility for students in adult education.

Erasmus +

EP President Roberta Metsola visits Malta, where she meets students from the Mediterranean College of Sport and St Albert the Great College and takes part in a discussion organised by the Malta Business Network.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, official visit to Malta

Confirmation hearing of Glenn MICALLEF, Commissioner-designate, Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport

To mark the 2024 International Women's Day (8 March), the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee is holding an inter-parliamentary committee meeting, gathering EU and national parliamentarians, to discuss the situation of women in sport today. Topics include eradicating gender stereotypes, abuse scandals and getting equal financial rewards and status. The experts to speak include Olympians Charline Van Snick (Belgium), Pia Sundhage (Sweden) and Katarzyna Zillmann (Poland). (Thursday 7 March).

FEMM- International Women’s Day/Women in Sport

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Italy - Participation in the event Piemonte and Europe: Innovation and Higher Education for Sport at Polytechnic University of Turin

Official visit to Italy - Roberta METSOLA, EP President speech at the event "Piemonte and Europe: Innovation and Higher Education for Sport" at Polytechnic University of Turin

Press point by Nela Riehl (Greens/EFA, Germany), Chair of CULT, following the confirmation hearing of Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality - Inter-parliamentary Committee Meeting on Women in Sport

FEMM

Opening of the sitting

Composition of political groups

Parliamentarism, European citizenship and democracy (debate)

Violence and discrimination in the world of sports after the FIFA Women’s World Cup (debate)

Improving firefighters’ working conditions (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Voting time

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Composition of committees and delegations

Segregation and discrimination of Roma children in education (debate)

Explanations of vote

Report: Maria Noichl (A9-0240/2023) - Regulation of prostitution in the EU: its cross-border implications and impact on gender equality and women’s rights

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted

Dates of forthcoming sittings

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Statements by the President

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes

Composition of Parliament

Verification of credentials

Composition of political groups: see Minutes

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71)

Corrigendum (Rule 241)

Signing of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 79): see Minutes

Order of business

New EU Forest Strategy for 2030 – Sustainable Forest Management in Europe (debate)

Deforestation Regulation (debate)

Surveillance and predator spyware systems in Greece (debate)

Energy efficiency (recast) (debate)

Conservation and enforcement measures applicable in the Regulatory Area of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) - Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Area: conservation and management measures (debate)

The impact of COVID-19 closures of educational, cultural, youth and sports activities on children and young people in the EU (short presentation)

Interim report on the 2021 proposal for a revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (short presentation)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Agenda for next sitting: see Minutes

JURI - Exchange of views on the Recommendation on measures to combat counterfeiting and enhance the enforcement of intellectual property rights and the Recommendation on combating online piracy of sports and other live events

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Meeting with students at the Mediterranean College of Sport

CULT - Confirmation hearing of Glenn MICALLEF, European Commissioner-designate for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport - Press point

CULT - Confirmation hearing of Glenn MICALLEF, European Commissioner-designate for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport

Launch of the 20 KM of Brussels race

Fottball tournament with player Amadou Onana

FEMM interparlamentary Committee meeting - Women in Sports

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Violence and discrimination in the world of sports after the FIFA Women’s World Cup

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, participates at the Event "Piemonte and Europe: Innovation and Higher Education for Sport" at Polytechnic University of Turin (Italy). Politecnico di Torino was founded in 1859 and is the first Italian Engineering School founded in the wave of the technical and scientific innovation that gave rise to the most prestigious European polytechnic schools in the mid-19th century. Founded as School for Engineers in 1859. Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check agaisnt delivery.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Italy: Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates at the Event "Piemonte and Europe: Innovation and Higher Education for Sport" in Turin: Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

MEPs debate with Council and Commission representatives the EU’s response to the Israeli government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip, and how to provide effective humanitarian support and secure the hostages’ release. Opening statements by Glenn MICALLEF, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Israeli government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip, ensuring effective humanitarian support and the liberation of hostages: opening statements

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with students at the Mediterranean College of Sport during her official visit to Malta. This news item shows extracts from President Metsola walking in the corridors and talking with teachers and students at the Mediterranean College of Sport.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta: extracts from the meeting with students at the Mediterranean College of Sport

With hate speech and hate crime consistently rising in Europe, the deteriorating situation in Israel and Gaza has prompted a surge in islamophobic and anti-Semitic incidents across member states, according to media and civil society reports. MEPs discuss the deplorable escalation of violence around the football match in the Netherlands and the unacceptable attacks against Israeli football fans. Opening statement by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission

Deplorable escalation of violence around the football match in the Netherlands and the unacceptable attacks against Israeli football fans: closing statement by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission

With hate speech and hate crime consistently rising in Europe, the deteriorating situation in Israel and Gaza has prompted a surge in islamophobic and anti-Semitic incidents across member states, according to media and civil society reports. MEPs discuss the deplorable escalation of violence around the football match in the Netherlands and the unacceptable attacks against Israeli football fans. MEPs debate

Deplorable escalation of violence around the football match in the Netherlands and the unacceptable attacks against Israeli football fans: MEPs debate

Deplorable escalation of violence around the football match in the Netherlands and the unacceptable attacks against Israeli football fans: opening statement by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission

Nela RIEHL (Greens/EFA, DE), Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) holds a press point after the Confirmation hearing of Glenn MICALLEF, Commissioner-designate, Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press point by Nela RIEHL (Greens/EFA, DE), Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT)

Glenn MICALLEF, Commissioner-designate, Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) of the European Parliament. Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) are also invited to participate as joint committees. At the end of the confirmation hearing, Glenn MICALLEF makes a closing statement followed by the one from the Committee Chair. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Confirmation hearing of Glenn MICALLEF, Commissioner-designate, Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport: closing statement by Glenn MICALLEF and Committee Chair

Glenn MICALLEF, Commissioner-designate, Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) of the European Parliament. Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) are also invited to participate as joint committees. During the confirmation hearing, Glenn MICALLEF answers questions by committee members.

Confirmation hearing of Glenn MICALLEF, Commissioner-designate, Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport: Questions / Answers (part 5 - Political groups in reverse order)

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