Sports Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou should, in mid-December, set out the EU executive’s plans over the next few years for implementing the new powers offered by the Lisbon Treaty in the field of sport. Centrepiece in Vassiliou’s communication will be a plan identifying targeted actions where the Commission believes the EU can provide “high added value” in the field of sport.

With the Commission admitting that the current budgetary context is not “conducive” to new spending initiatives, real expenditure will only be implemented in 2012 and 2013. The first real EU-funded sports programmes outlined in the action plan should only appear under the next financial perspectives, from 2014. The Commission also promises to evaluate the implementation of the new EU agenda for sport by mid-2015.

ACTION PLAN

Guiding EU action in the coming years, according drafts of seen by Europolitics, should be the Commission’s action plan listing specific steps, very much based around priorities given in Article 165, both for the Commission and member states. These include proposing a Council recommendation on health-enhancing physical activity in view of the establishment of national guidelines, including a review and coordination process.

The Commission will also support transnational projects and networks in the area of health-enhancing physical activity with a focus on projects targeting children, young people and senior citizens. The Commission and member states should additionally support awareness-raising on the health benefits of walking, cycling and active commuting.

ACCEDING TO ANTI-DOPING CONVENTION

In its communication, the Commission talks additionally of proposing a draft mandate for negotiations on EU accession to the Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe. There will be a review and “appropriate” conclusions, in the framework of the Council, on the effectiveness of EU representation in WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The Commission will also carry out an impact assessment in view of a criminal justice harmonisation proposal on establishing offences and minimum sanctions at EU level regarding the trade in doping substances and related activities. The Commission promises support for transnational anti-doping networks, including those focusing on preventive measures targeting amateur sport, sport for all and fitness.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS

The action plan talks of supporting innovative initiatives under the Lifelong Learning Programme. Together with member states, it will develop EU guidelines on combined sports training and general education (‘dual careers’) as well as supporting transnational projects and networks. Other actions include supporting the inclusion of sport-related qualifications when implementing the European Qualifications Framework.

The action plan should also concentrate on both Commission and member states ensuring better accessibility of sport facilities through the EU’s Disability Strategy. The Commission will support transnational projects, networks and research for social inclusion of persons with disabilities. Other focuses for action include gender equality, integration of immigrants and minority groups, fighting violence, racism, xenophobia, homophobia and related intolerance.

As for the economic dimension of sport, the Commission wants to use Eurostat as a first step toward the publication of EU sport fact sheets. The Commission will hold an annual seminar on European sports economics as well as support a network of universities to promote innovation and evidence-based sport actions.

On sustainable financing of sport, the Commission talks of ensuring that sport-related intellectual property rights are taken into account in the implementation of the Digital Agenda initiative. It will also launch a study to analyse sport organisers’ rights and image rights in sport under the EU legal framework.

Further elements include strengthening financial solidarity mechanisms within sports and developing criteria for stable and sustainable financing of sports. This includes a “financial return” to sport from gambling and betting activities. The Commission also promises, during the next review of the common VAT system, to “explore” the different issues related to VAT rules and sport. If necessary, it will formulate guidance.

STATE AID, VAT AND REGIONAL FUNDS

As for application of EU state aid rules to sport, the Commission promises to monitor the area and explore possibilities and limits for public aid in the sector. If the number of sport-related state aid cases increases, it will consider guidance on the application of state aid law in the field of sport.

The Commission will also “fully” exploit the possibilities of the European Regional Development Fund to support sport and outdoor activities as a tool for regional and rural development. The European Social Fund will be used to strengthen the skills and employability of workers in the sport sector.

The action plan should also deal with the organisation of sport, including good governance, standards, free movement and nationality of sports people, transfer rules, sport agents and match fixing. Officials also promise European social dialogue in the sport sector and including sport aspects in the EU’s external relations and development policies and programmes.

Background

Under the Lisbon Treaty’s Article 165, the EU has a supporting, coordinating and supplementing competence for sport. Article 165 thus enables actions promoting European sporting issues and developing the European dimension in sport. This article also mentions specific aspects, such as the social and educational function of sport; voluntary activities; specificity of sport; fairness and openness in sporting competitions; physical and moral integrity of sports people; cooperation between sports bodies; and cooperation with third countries and competent international organisations. Other new or modified provisions of the Lisbon Treaty may also have an impact on sport, including Articles 82-86 (judicial cooperation in criminal matters), 152 (social dialogue), 15 (services of general economic interest), Protocol 26 (services of general interest), and Declaration 21 (personal data). Due to its cross-cutting nature, sport is obviously also strongly influenced by the other older and traditional EU policies.