Statement on the ongoing Erasmus+ budget negociation: a step in the right direction!

Sport and Citizenship welcomes strong CULT Committee support for sport in the future Erasmus+ programme and calls for ambitious plenary vote

Brussels, 15 October 2026 – Sport and Citizenship welcomes the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) vote on the future Erasmus+ programme 2028–2034, proposing to increase the share of funding dedicated to sport from 1.9% to 4.1%.

We also welcome the proposed increase in the overall Erasmus+ budget to €47.39 billion for 2028–2034, representing an increase of around 16% compared with the €40.8 billion proposed by the European Commission in July 2025. The current 2021–2027 Erasmus+ programme has a budget of approximately €26 billion.

Sport and Citizenship considers this an important step towards ensuring that the next EU budget better reflects the contribution and potential of sport and physical activity across Europe.

“A strong budget for sport is necessary, because its significant social impact and the relief it brings to public finances make investing in it a smart choice for Europe, with returns exceeding 4% of EU GDP, and because sport is interlinked with all aspects of public policy, seeing it recognised in the next EU long-term budget is key to unlocking its full potential.” Julian Jappert, Director of Sport and Citizenship

The vote follows more than a year of advocacy by Sport and Citizenship and its partners as part of the Sport and Physical Activity Coalition. In a joint statement coordinated by FESI, 116 organisations from across the sport and physical activity movement called for stronger EU support for sport and physical activity in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, highlighting the need for greater recognition and investment in the sector. Ahead of the European Commission’s proposal in May 2025, more than 150 organisations also came together around a common call for stronger recognition and funding for sport and physical activity in the next EU budget and Erasmus+ programme. Sport and Citizenship subsequently called for at least 5% of Erasmus+ funding to be dedicated to sport and physical activity and continued its engagement with EU decision-makers.

Read the joint statement: https://fesi-sport.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MFF-sport-joint-statement-December-2025.pdf

Sport and Citizenship congratulates Rapporteur Bogdan Zdrojewski and the CULT Committee for recognising the importance of sport in the future Erasmus+ programme and supporting a stronger dedicated allocation. While the proposed 4.1% represents a significant increase from the current 1.9%, Sport and Citizenship will continue to advocate for the 5% ambition throughout the next stages of the process.

As the report moves towards the European Parliament’s plenary vote on Thursday, 22 October 2026, Sport and Citizenship reiterates the importance of:

• Increasing the overall Erasmus+ budget while maintaining a clear and visible identity for sport within the programme.
• Earmarking at least 5% of the Erasmus+ budget specifically for sport and physical activity, ensuring predictable, long-term support for the sector.
• Ensuring balanced governance, through strong EU-level coordination and dedicated funding for sport at National Agency level.

Sport and Citizenship calls on all Members of the European Parliament to strongly support MEP Bogdan Zdrojewski’s report at next Thursday’s plenary vote, building on the positive momentum generated by the CULT Committee and helping secure a stronger future for sport and physical activity within Erasmus+.

***

Media contact:

Solyane Michaut, EU project manager and advocacy coordinator

solyane.michaut@sportetcitoyennete.com

Follow our updates on the topic on our LinkedIn: Sport and Citizenship Think tank – EU