Erasmus + Sport Funding: Opportunities for all

The European Parliament Rugby Union Group held a meeting on October 17 on Erasmus + Sport funding. EPRUI’s president Derek Vaughan moderated the interventions from Michal Rynkowski (Programme Officer, Sport Unit, DG EAC), Luciano Di Fonzo (Head of sector EACEA), and from Felix Schafer (policy officer at the EU office of the European Olympic Committee). The speakers complemented well each other’s statements as they all broke down the steps and particular areas to be aware when applying a project for funding. It was made clear how the increased consideration for the sport sector is echoed in the steady growth of funding, but also how the Erasmus + Sport has been willing to accommodate to the needs of grassroots organisations. In this way was created the Small Collaborative Partnerships that only require three partners from different countries.

For those interested in such useful information, the 2018 Sport Info Day in Brussels as announced to be held January 30, where applicants may find partners, guidance or advice on their projects. A well-thought-out project based on an innovative idea, and with a European value, has all its chances of being selected for funding- the first administrative steps are perhaps the hardest which is why it is so beneficial to create partnerships to share skills, and the workload.

The concrete utility of such a meeting for all contemplating to submit an application is proof of the efforts made by the EU to be closer to its citizens when many still hold as being to bureaucratic.