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Out of the Box International develops a tailor made open data model and policies based on open digital environment which is transparent, accountable and secured.

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Out of the Box International works with already existing hubs, various local and national stakeholders and social entrepreneurs in order to further develop and promote successful social entrepreneurship policies and practices.

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Out of the Box International delivers expertise in the field of cohesive policies by using cross-sectorial approach and non-formal  education, in a global perspective.

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Out of the Box International  works further to enhance current cooperation in South East Europe region and actively supports the integration of all European countries in common European project.

EP Calls for Stronger EU Role in Sport

July 20, 2025

MEPs push for a fairer, values-based European sport model

Europe has a distinctive approach to sport through the European Sport Model, a concept based on values such as fairness, open competition, equality, integration, and solidarity. Sport is also a growing economic sector, contributing 2.12% to the EU’s gross domestic product and providing jobs for nearly six million people. European sport represents a major asset on the global stage, while also promoting cooperation between EU Member States.

On 18th March 2025, the European Parliament held a consultation with the European Committee of the Regions, sports federations, teams, and many other organisations. The consultation garnered useful information to help frame the European Sports Model.

This report is the Parliament’s formal position before the European Commission announces its communication on the European Sport Model in 2026.

In a resolution adopted on the 16th of July 2025, the Commission voted on a resolution to present a long-term strategy to promote solidarity, with a strengthened connection between professional and grassroots sport, argue MEPs. MEPs from the Committee on Culture and Education supported a concept of sport and physical activities based on and promoting values such as fairness, solidarity, equality, inclusiveness, integrity, sporting merit, and open competitions.

Key points of the resolution:

  • Strengthen the link between elite and amateur sport
  • Increase funding for grassroots sport and raise the Erasmus+ budget
  • Address new threats to sport in Europe: growing commercialisation and foreign investment

MEPs called for a significant increase in funding for sport and physical activity under the 2028-2034 Erasmus+ programme and for support for further synergies between other programmes and funds. Given the growing gap between the financial elite in professional sport and the grassroots level, MEPs want the Commission to carry out a study to map existing financial solidarity mechanisms and redistribution schemes, covering different sports and levels within the EU, with the aim of ensuring fairer resource allocation.

Considering that good governance is essential to ensure the autonomy of sport and the future of the European Sport Model, MEPs propose that representatives of organisations such as federations, clubs and leagues, but also of athletes and fans, should be involved in the decision-making. They also urge the EU institutions to promote, and EU countries to apply, athletes’ fundamental rights, such as social rights, freedom of association, collective bargaining, decent working conditions and pregnancy and maternity leave.

 

Next steps

MEPs are expected to vote on this own-initiative report during their September plenary session.

 

Read the full resolution: European Parliament Newsroom

Why Out of the Box International

The seemingly ever-lasting depression of European economies has shaken the very foundations of many European societies. The shear rate of unemployment in Europe and the omnipresent environmental crisis coupled with the often frustratingly slow process of decision making in the EU, are calling for civil society actors to step in and fill the void.

In the aftermath of the 2008. economic crisis, the apprehension of falling under the spell of apathy of economic depression across the continent has not been easy to shake off. However, pinpointing the culprits for the current state of affairs on any particular EU decision maker is not the answer. Nonetheless, the fact remains that the current approach to the economic and environmental crisis hasn’t yet shown the affected citizens the light at the end of the tunnel.

As representatives of the civil society we feel the need to make our voice heard in the midst of the current debate on economic crisis. Being a social enterprise we offer new and feasible ideas in education and community work, creative cross-sectorial cooperation among different actors and strong networking coalitions to turn these dire economic challenges into possibilities through social entrepreneurship initiatives which aim at benefiting wide range of citizens, particularly vulnerable groups and those affected by the economic crisis.

Social entrepreneurship is a simple concept that has been put into practice by civil society actors for the benefit of a specific social group or people, and this is precisely what we want: to create projects and initiatives with fresh ideas in different policies, educational programs or tools, support businesses, empower cultural initiatives and offer different solutions to individuals, corporate bodies, everybody who believe that we can have more Creative, Innovative and Cohesive Europe.

 

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