Institute for Sport Governance at the Erasmus+ Sport Info Day 2026 in Brussels
On 11 December 2025, the team of the Institute for Sport Governance (ISG) took part in the Erasmus+ Sport Info Day 2026, held in Brussels and organised by the European Commission and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). The event is one of the most important gatherings of the European sport community and is addressed to organisations interested in developing sport projects in the context of European Union public policies and the upcoming Erasmus+ grant calls.
The Info Day brought together representatives of EU institutions, public administrations, sport organisations, higher education institutions and non-governmental organisations from across Europe. For ISG, participation in the event was an important element of monitoring the directions of European sport policy and preparing for future projects implemented at the international level.
Political context of sport and a strategic vision for Europe
The conference opened with a session devoted to the political context of sport in Europe. Panel discussions included representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament and national institutions responsible for sport. The debates focused on the role of sport as a public policy tool, its importance for health, social inclusion and the promotion of shared European values.
Special attention was given to the work on the European Commission’s Communication on a “Strategic Vision for Sport in Europe” and the strengthening of the European Sport Model. The preliminary results of the public consultations demonstrated the growing importance of good governance, transparency, solidarity and cross-sectoral cooperation.
Erasmus+ Sport 2026 priorities
The next part of the event was dedicated to a detailed presentation of the Erasmus+ Sport priorities for 2026. Representatives of the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture presented the main areas of support, including:
- the promotion of healthy lifestyles and physical activity,
- the development of innovative solutions in sport,
- sustainability and actions in favour of green sport,
- inclusion and the fight against social exclusion,
- strengthening good governance and the professionalisation of sport structures.
For the ISG team, issues related to the quality of governance, the development of sport leadership competences and the role of sport as a tool for positive social change were of particular importance.
Application process and practical aspects
A significant part of the Info Day consisted of practical sessions addressed to organisations planning to submit applications under Erasmus+ Sport. EACEA experts provided detailed explanations on the structure of project applications, the principles of budget preparation based on the lump sum mechanism, as well as the evaluation criteria and project selection process.
The knowledge gained during these sessions constitutes important support for ISG’s further activities in preparing high-quality European projects.
Networking and development of international cooperation
An integral part of the Erasmus+ Sport Info Day was the space dedicated to networking. We had the opportunity to meet with our existing project partners with whom we implement initiatives under European programmes, as well as to establish new relationships with organisations from different parts of Europe.
Direct discussions enabled the exchange of experiences, the sharing of good practices and initial conversations about potential joint projects in the upcoming Erasmus+ Sport calls. The event once again confirmed how crucial transnational cooperation and the combination of academic, institutional and practical perspectives are for the development of sport.
Summary and next steps
Participation in the Erasmus+ Sport Info Day 2026 was a valuable experience for the ISG team, combining reflection on the directions of European sport policy with very concrete knowledge on project application procedures. We return from Brussels with an up-to-date overview of EU priorities in the field of sport, new contacts and inspiration to further develop projects supporting good governance, social responsibility and the professionalisation of sport management.
The experience gained will have a direct impact on our future initiatives, implemented both at national and European levels, with a view to the long-term development of sport and its positive social impact.
