Initial indications from the European Commission’s new seven-year budget proposal known as Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) suggest good news for grassroots and community sport. On July 16, the Commission proposed a 50% increase in funding for the Erasmus+ programme—the flagship initiative supporting education, training, youth, and sport – over the coming funding cycle, which runs from 2028 to 2035.

Erasmus+ has supported many of ISCA’s and ISCA members' flagship initiatives in recent years, and currently funds ongoing projects such as MOVING for Health and the Real European Sport Model (RESM). The current Erasmus+ cycle is backed by a total budget of €26.2 billion.

“This is, of course, only the beginning of a two-year negotiation process for the long-term EU budget,” said ISCA Secretary General Jacob Schouenborg. “But considering earlier rumours that the programme would be split into pieces, it’s a great starting point. It certainly it means game on!”

He added that the proposed MFF also suggests that vital initiatives previously considered at risk—such as the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) and Creative Europe programmes—may now be safeguarded through a new programme called Agora.

Working closely with a broad coalition of partners, ISCA has consistently advocated for a strong focus on grassroots sport and physical activity in future EU budgets. This shared commitment was reflected in a Joint Statement released earlier this year, where 150 signatories from the sport and physical activity sector urged EU institutions to prioritise sport and physical activity in the upcoming MFF.

“ISCA will continue to monitor developments closely and advocate for key priorities, including health, youth, education, and inclusion,” Schouenborg said.

Further details on core EU programmes—including the future of the key health funding programme EU4Health—are expected to be outlined in the coming days. ISCA will keep stakeholders informed throughout the process while continuing to emphasise the value that grassroots sport and physical activity brings to society.

Details of the full MFF proposal can be viewed here