ENGSO at the EU Sport Forum 2025: grassroots sport as a key focus in Commissioner’s agenda
The 2025 EU Sport Forum was held on 10–11 April in Kraków, Poland, under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. ENGSO participated with the aim of advocating for grassroots sport and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders.
Engaging in the policy debate, the ENGSO delegation, led by ENGSO President Stefan Bergh and comprising Committee members Magnus Sverdrup and Theo Neyenhuis, Office Director Marie Denitton, Secretary General Sara Massini, and ENGSO Youth Committee member Mirjana Ivkovic, was pleased to attend the 2025 EU Sport Forum, held in Kraków, Poland.
This year’s Forum focused on key topics including the promotion of a European Sport Model, the role of sport in education and in the context of EU enlargement, the impact of artificial intelligence in sport, and the welfare of athletes. The event featured a range of distinguished speakers, such as Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport; Bogdan Zdrojewski, Member of the European Parliament; Sławomir Nitras, Poland’s Minister of Sport and Tourism; and Thomas Bach, the outgoing President of the International Olympic Committee.
Photo: ENGSO President Stefan Bergh and Secretary General Sara Massini with a Commissioner Glenn Micallef
As advocates for organised grassroots sport, we were encouraged to hear that grassroots sport will be a key focus in the Commissioner Glenn Micallef’s plans and initiatives, especially in strengthening the development of the sporting movement across Europe. Also, we were glad to learn that strengthening the link between elite and grassroots sport is and will be essential for the future of sport movement, and that significant attention will be given to supporting volunteers to help safeguard European sport model.
EU Sport Forum was a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships with various sports stakeholders, including European Olympic Committee. ENGSO President had the chance to meet with the EOC President Spyros Capralos. Strengthening the connection between elite and grassroots sport is essential for the future of the sport movement, and for building a fair, inclusive and equal European Sport Model.