The objective of the preparatory actions in the field of sport, launched in 2009, is to prepare future EU policy in the area on the basis of priorities established by the White Paper on Sport (EurActiv 19/05/09).
Preparations are being made in view of the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon, which is set to give the EU a competence on sports.
Last week, MEPs argued that in order to continue this preparatory action without reducing its current scope, €4 million more is needed to fund the projects necessary in 2010. The Commission's preliminary draft budget has earmarked only €1.5m for the initiative.
Actions to be funded in 2010 would include testing the establishment and functioning of suitable networks and good practices which can serve as a basis for a future EU programme. The programme would address categories of sports stakeholders who are not yet addressed by existing EU programmes, in particular sports organisations.
The aim is to create a critical mass by grouping together sport-related organisations and projects around specific themes to identify priorites.
In a recent interview with EurActiv, EU Sports Commissioner Jan Figel' said he hoped that "tens of millions of euros per year" would be allocated to the bloc's future sport programme.
The Parliament will vote on the final EU budget for 2010 in December.
