ENGSO was represented at the meeting by Bence Garamvölgyi, Project Manager, who presented the organisation’s assessment of how Erasmus+ is delivering for sport staff and grassroots sport organisations across Europe.

The intervention highlighted the programme’s strong contribution to capacity building, non-formal learning, and the development of the European dimension of sport. In particular, ENGSO underlined the positive impact of simplified funding mechanisms, digitalised processes, and the introduction of staff mobility opportunities in sport.

At the same time, ENGSO emphasised that important challenges remain. While Erasmus+ is widely recognised as a successful programme, its accessibility and inclusiveness are still not fully realised in practice. Grassroots sport organisations — especially small, volunteer-led clubs — continue to face barriers in accessing funding, while participation from individuals with fewer opportunities remains uneven.

ENGSO also pointed to structural limitations, including the short-term nature of project funding and the need for stronger mechanisms to ensure long-term impact and sustainability. Concerns were raised about the growing role of intermediary organisations with limited grassroots connections, which may affect equitable access to the programme.

In line with its policy positions, ENGSO called for reinforced efforts to embed inclusion across all actions, maintain dedicated support for sport, and strengthen the programme’s ability to reach local communities. The importance of preserving a values-driven approach — prioritising social inclusion, active citizenship, and non-formal learning — was also highlighted.

ENGSO’s contribution was well received by Member State delegates, who welcomed the practical insights from the grassroots sport sector and the constructive recommendations for improving the programme’s implementation.

The discussion marks an important step in shaping both the final phase of Erasmus+ 2021–2027 and the future direction of the programme beyond 2027.