EU Funding Programme

Erasmus+ is the EU’s funding programme for education, training, youth and sport.

‍

Call overview

This award aims to recognise sport activities implemented by organisations working with sport across generations and contributing to strengthen communities.

‍

Call detail

It recognises organisations that have made a significant contribution to strengthening communities promoting inter-generational activities through sport, providing easier access to sport & physical activities for all generations and keeping in mind interests of future generations.

This category celebrates initiatives that use sport to bring people of all ages together, fostering intergenerational connections, inclusion, and long-term community development. It highlights the power of sport in bridging generational gaps, fostering understanding, and creating stronger, more connected communities.

‍

Background

The #BeActive EU Sport Awards prize recognises and celebrates the achievements of sport organisations and stakeholders that have successfully promoted sport and physical activity across Europe.

Sport undeniably plays a key role in advancing EU priorities and is widely recognised as a

powerful tool for promoting healthy lifestyles and well-being. Beyond this, sport strengthens social cohesion by fostering inclusion, encouraging intergenerational dialogue, combating discrimination, and promoting active community engagement. In addition to its proven contribution to long-term socio-economic development, sport is also instrumental in spreading positive values and championing peace, freedom, and human rights.

Through the past #BeActive and #BeInclusive EU Sport Awards, which celebrated outstanding initiatives and commitments to promoting inclusive participation in sport and physical activity while encouraging people to stay active, the EU has consistently recognised the vital role sport plays in sustaining and advancing its economic and social model. The current #BeActive EU Sport Awards build on these previous efforts, aiming to highlight and reward the contributions of sport organisations and individuals to a Union based on equity and shared values. This competition seeks to showcase best-practice initiatives and introduce inspiring individuals to a Pan-European audience.

‍

Objectives

The #BeActive EU Sport Awards 2025 (hereafter referred to as the ‘Awards’) aim to reward and give visibility to activities that have successfully promoted sport and physical activity as means to support health, inclusion, inter-generational dialogue, volunteering and peace across Europe. Amongst others, the competition contributes to the promotion of sustainable and green sport. Depending on the prize category, activities may focus on educational establishments, workplaces or local communities. Initiatives can also aim to overcome barriers to sport participation for people with fewer opportunities. Additionally, the competition welcomes initiatives that support inter-generational connections through the practice of sport and physical activity and is also open to actions that address social challenges, empower disadvantaged groups and foster community engagement through volunteering in sport. Besides rewarding specific organisations, the awards will also give visibility and support the dissemination of innovative ideas, activities and best practices throughout Europe.

‍

Expected results

The winner and the finalists (ranked 2nd and 3rd) in each category will be awarded to inspire other organisations and individuals around Europe. They will all be announced and showcased at the award ceremony and will receive their prizes

‍

Eligibility

In order to be eligible, applicants must:

+ be legal entities (natural persons, private or public bodies, including international organisations)

+ be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:

• EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
• non-EU countries: listed EEA countries and countries associated to the Erasmus+ Programme (associated countries) or countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement and where the agreement enters into force before the award decision

The #BeActive EU Sport Award in the category Volunteering may be given to individuals (natural persons) over 18 years of age to whom the prize is awarded. It does not necessarily have to be the applicant. Applicants must still fullfill the eligibility criteria.

‍

Available budget

The prize total budget is EUR 125 000. One winner with EUR 15 000 and two finalists (ranked 2nd and 3rd) with EUR 5 000 each will be rewarded in each of the five categories