Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the European Union Work Plan for Sport (1 July 2017-31 December 2020)
Date: 2017-06-15
Institutions: Council of the European Union, Representatives of the Governments of the Member States
Subjects: European cooperation, action programme, corruption, education, innovation, performance drugs, public health, social integration, sport




C_2017189EN.01000501.xml










15.6.2017   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 189/5





Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the European Union Work Plan for Sport
(1 July 2017-31 December 2020)
(2017/C 189/02)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES,
I.   INTRODUCTION









1.


RECALL the competence assigned to the European Union, in particular by Article 6 and Article 165 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, according to which sport is an area where action at EU level should support, coordinate and supplement the actions of Member States.












2.


RECALL the Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on a European Union Work Plan for Sport for 2011-2014 (1) and 2014-2017 (2).












3.


WELCOME the Report from the Commission on the implementation and relevance of the European Union Work Plan for Sport 2014-2017 (3).












4.


CONSIDER that sport can contribute to the overarching priorities of the EU’s security, economic and social policy agendas and in particular to the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.












5.


RECOGNISE that sport plays a positive role in the cross-sectoral cooperation at EU level and thereby helps to ensure sustainable development and to adequately tackle the overarching socioeconomic and security-related challenges facing the EU, including migration, social exclusion, radicalisation that may lead to violent extremism, unemployment, as well as unhealthy lifestyles and obesity.












6.


ACKNOWLEDGE the need for appropriate cooperation with the sport stakeholders, inter alia, through the structured dialogue (4).












7.


TAKE NOTE of the results from the Eurobarometer on Sport and Physical Activity published in 2014, acknowledging the great differences among Member States, including as regards the results on voluntary work and sedentary behaviour, and take note of the statistics produced by Eurostat covering key economic and social data on sport.












8.


ACKNOWLEDGE the need to cooperate with third countries, in particular candidate countries and potential candidates to the EU, to promote European values through sport diplomacy, and with the competent international organisations in the field of sport, including the Council of Europe, WADA and the World Health Organisation.












9.


CONSEQUENTLY AGREE:






—


to further develop a framework of European cooperation in the field of sport by establishing a third EU Work Plan for Sport for Member States and Commission actions,










—


on a concrete timeline for this Work Plan, namely 1 July 2017 to 31 December 2020,










—


that activities at EU level in the field of sport should focus on the priority themes, key topics, outputs as well as working methods and structures listed in this Work Plan, and as set out in Annex I.








II.   DEVELOPING FURTHER THE EUROPEAN DIMENSION IN SPORT BY ESTABLISHING AN EU WORK PLAN









10.


CONSIDER that this EU Work Plan for Sport should be governed by the following guiding objectives:






—


to ensure, through cross-sectoral cooperation, the awareness of other EU policy domains of the contribution that sport can make in meeting the policy challenges facing the EU,










—


to strengthen further the evidence base for sport,










—


to promote a cooperative and concerted approach among Member States and the Commission, and where appropriate with the sport movement and other relevant stakeholders, to deliver added value in the field of sport at EU level over the longer term,










—


to address transnational challenges using a coordinated EU approach,










—


to take into account the specific nature of sport,










—


to contribute to the overarching priorities of the EU economic and social policy agenda, as well as sustainable development in order to give a boost for jobs, growth and investment as well as preparing the post 2020 period (5),










—


to promote gender equality,










—


to take into account the relationship between education and sport, including dual careers,










—


to build on the achievements of the first two EU Work Plans for Sport,










—


to complement and reinforce the impact of activities launched under the Erasmus+ programme in the field of sport,










—


to contribute to the development of grassroots sports in the EU.
















11.


UNDERLINE that this EU Work Plan should be a flexible framework and instrument which is capable of responding in a timely way to developments in the field of sport and to take into account the priorities of the future Presidencies.












12.


AGREE that the following themes and key topics should be given priority by Member States and the Commission for the period covered by this Work Plan. They could be complemented by each Presidency in the light of any possible new developments:






(1)



Integrity of sport, in particular promoting good governance including the safeguarding of minors, the specificity of sport, combatting corruption and match-fixing, as well as fighting doping;










(2)


The economic dimension of sport, in particular innovation in sport, and sport and the digital single market;










(3)



Sport and society, in particular social inclusion, the role of coaches, education in and through sport, sport and health, sport and environment and sport and media, as well as sport diplomacy.




The details relating to the execution of the above key topics are set out in Annex I.












13.


AGREE THAT:






—


the EU Work Plan may be revised by the Council and the Representatives of Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council in the light of results achieved and policy developments at EU level,










—


mid-term reflections on the EU Work Plan will be organised during the first half of 2019.








III.   WORKING METHODS AND STRUCTURES









14.


RECOGNISE that there is a need to continue close cooperation between Member States as well as with the Commission to implement the Work Plan. Also recognise that the sport movement and relevant competent organisations at national, European and international levels such as the Council of Europe, WADA and the WHO should be closely associated to this cooperation.












15.


CONSIDER THAT:
Appropriate working structures and methods should be established for the follow-up of achievements from the first two EU Work Plans and for developing new outputs in line with the priority themes and key topics, as set out in paragraph 12 above;
Expert Groups and clusters meetings should be organised, when appropriate, by the Commission in the policy areas which were, inter alia, dealt with extensively by the previous and current Work Plans for Sport.
Meetings may be organised at the initiative of one or several Member States on subjects of common interest (groups of interested Member States). These meetings will deal, inter alia, with peer learning activities among participating Member States.
Other structures and working methods may include Presidency conferences and seminars, informal meetings of Sport Ministers and Directors, Commission studies and Commission conferences and seminars.
The key principles relating to the various working methods are set out in Annex II.
In the second half of 2020, the implementation of the present EU Work Plan will be evaluated by the Council on the basis of a report prepared by the Commission during the first half of 2020.




IV.   FURTHER STEPS









16.


INVITE THE MEMBER STATES TO:






—


work together with the Commission to implement this EU Work Plan in an effective manner and by using the working structures and methods specified by this Resolution,










—


whilst respecting the principle of subsidiarity and the autonomy of sport’s governing structures, take due account of this EU Work Plan when developing policy at national level,










—


regularly inform, and where appropriate consult, sport stakeholders on progress made in implementing the EU Work Plan, in order to ensure the relevance and visibility of the activities,










—


disseminate, where appropriate, in the Member States and at the appropriate levels, the results achieved under this and previous EU Work Plans for Sport,










—


organise meetings on subjects of common interest (groups of interested Member States),










—


initiate and lead peer learning exercises in cooperation with the Commission.
















17.


INVITE THE PRESIDENCIES OF THE COUNCIL TO:






—


take into account, including in the context of the Trio Presidency, the EU Work Plan priority themes when developing their programme and build upon the results already achieved,










—


inform the Member States on ongoing or planned work in other Council formations that has an impact on sport,










—


at the end of the term covered by the present Resolution, and on the basis of a Report prepared by the Commission, propose a new draft EU Work Plan for the next period, if appropriate,










—


consider the evaluation of the structured dialogue with the sport movement (6).
















18.


INVITE THE COMMISSION TO:






—


work with the Member States in implementing this Work Plan, in particular regarding the outputs outlined in Annex I,










—


inform the Member States on ongoing or planned initiatives in other EU policy areas impacting on sport and respective developments in the Commission,










—


inform the Working Party on Sport of the mandates of the expert groups,










—


support the Member States and other relevant actors in their activities on the themes and key topics set out in the present Resolution, in particular by:






—


examining means to facilitate the participation of Member States and experts, as well as to invite representatives from the sport movement and, where appropriate, other stakeholders in the expert groups referred to in Annex I, assuring a high and coherent level of representativeness and expertise,










—


establishing expert groups in the following areas:






—


Integrity










—


Skills and human resources development in sport,














—


establishing other forms of support for promoting exchange of good practices and peer learning as well as for building knowledge (e.g. studies),










—


providing the necessary expert input on anti-doping issues, in particular the compatibility with EU law of any forthcoming revision of the WADA Anti-doping Code,










—


providing logistical and technical support for gathering and disseminating relevant documents and information on EU sport policy,










—


organising specific cluster meetings in the policy areas which were dealt with extensively by the previous and current Work Plans for Sport. The aim of such meetings is to discuss policy-relevant outcomes of EU funded projects that benefit sport as well as to foster exchange of good practices and insights on specific topics, to take stock of progress made and to identify where further action is needed, in particular in the areas set out in Annex I. These types of meetings should be organised at least once per year,














—


ensure a follow-up of the work done by previous High Level Groups set up by Commission on ‘Grassroots Sport’ and ‘Sport and Diplomacy’,










—


ensure a follow-up of the recommendations produced by the previous Expert Group on Good Governance and ensure continuity on current issues related to the fight against match-fixing,










—


promote the recognition of skills and competences in sport,










—


facilitate the structured dialogue on sport, including the organisation on an annual basis of the EU Sport Forum, bringing together all the key stakeholders at different levels of sport,










—


develop the annual European Week of Sport and promote the Week throughout the year as a tool to promote participation in sport and physical activity in line with the priorities of this Work Plan,










—


support the priority themes and corresponding key topics established by this Work Plan, taking advantage of the Erasmus+ programme and other relevant EU programmes, as well as European Structural and Investment Funds,










—


adopt, during the first half of 2020 and on the basis of voluntary contributions from Member States, a Report on the implementation and relevance of the Work Plan. This Report will be the basis for the preparation of a possible successor EU Work Plan during the second half of 2020,










—


where appropriate, make the outputs achieved in the working structures of this and previous EU Work Plans for Sport publicly available.










(1)  OJ C 162, 1.6.2011, p. 1.

(2)  OJ C 183, 14.6.2014, p. 12.

(3)  5516/17 + ADD 1.

(4)  Council Resolution of 18 November 2010 where the Council agreed to convene, on a regular basis, generally in the margins of the Council meeting, an informal meeting of leading representatives of the EU public authorities and the sport movement with the aim of exchanging views on sporting issues in the EU (OJ C 322, 27.11.2010, p. 1).

(5)  10 political priorities of the Juncker Commission http://ec.europa.eu/priorities/publications/president-junckers-political-guidelines_en

(6)  Including the Council Resolution of 18 November 2010 on the Structured Dialogue.


ANNEX I
Key topics (paragraph 12), requested outputs and corresponding working structures









Key topic




Working method/Tasks




Output and target date




Leader(s)






Priority 1: Integrity of sport







Anti-doping




Council and its preparatory bodies

Expert input in anti-doping issues to be prepared by meetings of experts and to be discussed at the Working Party on Sport, in particular compatibility with EU law, regarding any forthcoming revision of the WADA Anti-doping Code



2017 - 2019







—


EU contribution







Commission and Presidency





 


Preparation of the EU and its Member States' position for the CAHAMA and WADA meetings supported as necessary by meetings of experts.



2017 - 2020







—


EU position







Commission and Presidency





 



Seminar

Ways of preventing the use of doping by young people in professional and in grassroots sports.



Second half 2017







—


Report










—


Exchange of best practices







Presidency






Good governance




Expert Group

Integrity
Application of international recognised good governance and anti-corruption standards and initiatives in particular from outside sport to be applied in the field of sport
Match-fixing



2018 - 2020







—


Exchange of best practices










—


Report







Commission





 



Council and its preparatory bodies

Recommendations on possible future actions against corruption in sport at the EU level.



Second half 2019







—


(poss.) Council conclusions







Presidency






Safe-guarding of minors




Study

Prevalence of child abuse in sport



First half 2019







—


Report







Commission





 



Seminar

Follow-up of the Recommendations on the protection of young athletes and safeguarding children's rights in sport (1)




Second half 2019







—


Exchange of good practice










—


Report







Presidency





 



Council and its preparatory bodies

Protecting physical and moral integrity of minors in grassroots and elite sport.



Second half 2019







—


(poss.) Council conclusions







Presidency






Specificity of sport




Group of interested Member States

EU law in relation to sport and sport organisations



First half 2019







—


(poss.) Recommen-dations/state of play







SE, FR, ES, NL





 



Seminar

Specificity of sport within the EU



Second half 2019







—


Exchange of views










—


Report







Commission






Priority 2: Economic dimension of sport







Innovation in sport




Cluster Meeting

The economic benefits of sport through Sport Satellite Accounts (SSA). The practical use of SSAs for sport policymakers.



First half 2018







—


Exchange of best practices







Commission





 



Council and its preparatory bodies

Raise awareness of the economic dimension of sport in particular with regard to the Europe 2020 Strategy – focusing on the economic benefits of sport and innovation.



Second half 2018







—


(poss.) Council conclusions







Presidency





 



Conference

Raise awareness of the economic dimension of sport in particular with regard to the Europe 2020 Strategy – focusing on the economic benefits of sport and innovation.



Second half 2018







—


Exchange of best practices










—


Report







Presidency






Sport and the digital single market




Seminar

The benefits and challenges of the digital single market for a better funding and commercialisation of sport



First half 2019







—


Report







Presidency






Priority 3: Sport and Society







Sport and media




Conference

Role and influence of media in sport



First half 2020







—


Report and the exchange of best practices







Presidency





 



Council and its preparatory bodies

Role and influence of media in sport








—


(poss.) Council Conclusions







Presidency






Role of coaches




Council and its preparatory bodies

Role of coaches in society



Second half 2017







—


(poss.) Council conclusions







Presidency





 



Conference

Role, status and responsibility of coaches in society.



Second half 2017







—


Report










—


Exchange of best practices







Presidency






Education in and through sport




Conference

Physical activity, sport and athletes' dual career with the focus on university and education



Second half 2017







—


Report










—


Exchange of best practices







Presidency





 



Expert Group

Skills and human resources development in sport.



2018-2020







—


Guidelines







Commission





 



Seminar

Sport qualifications and competences for coaches



First half 2020







—


Report







Presidency






Social inclusion




Council and its preparatory bodies

Promoting European values through sport



First half 2018







—


(poss.) Council conclusions







Presidency





 



Conference

Grassroots sport as a tool for integration and a bridge between tradition and innovation



First half 2018







—


Report







Presidency





 



Study

Access to sport for people with disabilities.



Second half 2018







—


Report







Commission





 



Council and its preparatory bodies

Access to sport for people with disabilities.



First half 2019







—


(poss.) Council Conclusions







Presidency





 



Conference

The advantages of practising sport in an organised environment for people with fewer opportunities



First half 2019







—


Handbook collecting best practices/examples







Presidency





 



Cluster meeting

Promoting health-enhancing physical activity



Second half 2017







—


Exchange of best practices







Commission






Sport and health




Seminar

Sport and physical activity at the workplace



Second half 2018







—


Report







Presidency






Sport and environment




Group of interested Member States

Urban development, nature sport, environmental sustainability in the context of major sporting events, environmentally sound and energy-efficient sport facilities



2019-2020







—


Exchange of knowledge and best practice










—


Report







FR, DE, PT






Sport diplomacy




Study


Sport in support of EU external relations




Second half 2017







—


Recommendations on the basis of case studies and good practices







Commission





 



Seminar

Follow-up of the Commission High Level Group, Council conclusions of November 2016 and Seminar on Sport Diplomacy



Second half 2017







—


Strategy on the way forward







Commission







(1)  Expert Group on Good Governance; ‘Challenges; that children have to be protection from in sport’, Recommendations on the protection of young athletes and safeguarding children's rights in sport, June 2016, p. 12.



ANNEX II
Principles relating to the working methods, structures and reporting






—


The participation of Member States in the work of the Expert Groups, cluster meetings and groups of interested Member States is voluntary and open to all Member States.










—


The Commission will ensure the most appropriate and effective participation of experts from different fields including public administration and sport stakeholders.










—


The detailed rules on the membership and working procedures of the Commission expert groups are covered by the Commission Decision of 30 May 2016 (1).










—


Groups of interested Member States may define their own working methods and structures, in the light of their specific needs and desired outcomes. The Commission shall be associated with the work of these groups, as appropriate.










—


The Commission will report to the Working Party on Sport on the progress of work in the respective expert groups and cluster meetings and present their outputs. Groups of interested Member States will nominate a representative to do likewise.










—


If appropriate, the Council Working Party on Sport will provide further guidance, in order to guarantee the desired outcomes and timeline.










—


The meeting agendas and meeting reports of all groups will be available to all Member States, irrespective of their degree of participation in a given area. The outputs of the groups will be published and disseminated at EU and national level.










—


The outputs from the various working methods will feed into the report by the Commission on the implementation of the Work Plan.






(1)  Commission Decision C(2016) 3301 final of 30 May 2016 establishing horizontal rules on the creation and operation of Commission expert groups.