European Union

European Union

The Active Fans programme is Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Sport programme. Erasmus+ is the EU Programme in the fields of education, training, youth and sport for the period 2014-20201. Education,
training, youth and sport can make a major contribution to help tackle socio-economic changes, the key challenges that Europe will be facing until the end of the decade and to support the implementation of the European policy agenda for growth, jobs, equity and social inclusion.

Fighting high levels of unemployment – particularly among young people – is one of the most urgent tasks for European governments. Too many young people leave school prematurely running a high risk of being unemployed and socially marginalised. The same risk threatens many adults with low skills. Technologies are changing the way in which society operates, and there is a need to ensure the best use is made of them. EU businesses need to become more competitive through talent and innovation.

Europe needs more cohesive and inclusive societies which allow citizens to play an active role in democratic life. Education,
training, youth work and sport are key to promote common European values, foster social integration, enhance intercultural
understanding and a sense of belonging to a community, and to prevent violent radicalisation. Erasmus+ is an effective
instrument to promote the inclusion of people with disadvantaged backgrounds, including newly arrived migrants.

In the field of sport, the Erasmus+ Programme aims to support actions that result in the development, transfer, and implementation of innovative ideas and practices at European, national, regional, and local level. In accordance with one of the new elements introduced in the Lisbon Treaty, Erasmus+ also supports activities aiming at developing the European dimension in sport, by promoting cooperation between bodies responsible for sport.

The Programme promotes the creation and development of European networks, providing opportunities for cooperation among stakeholders and the exchange and transfer of knowledge and know-how in different areas relating to sport and physical activity. This reinforced cooperation will notably have positive effects in developing the potential of Europe’s human capital by helping reduce the social and economic costs of physical inactivity. It is also expected that Sport Actions will contribute to the development of a European dimension to sport, increasing cooperation and harmonisation between sport organisations.