Explore Erasmus+ support for not-for-profit European sport events, eligibility rules, covered activities and where to find the Programme Guide
The Erasmus+ programme offers targeted support for organisers planning not-for-profit European sport events that deliver a clear European dimension. These actions are aimed at fostering inclusion, combating discrimination and encouraging grassroots participation through sport. Organisations interested in funding should understand both the scope of eligible activities and the precise formats that meet the programme’s requirements.
Funding is intended for events driven by social objectives rather than commercial gain. Projects must highlight educational or legacy components and demonstrate collaboration between organisations from different Programme Countries. This overview summarises the kinds of activities supported, the acceptable event types, applicant profiles and the main exclusions applicants should know about.
What Erasmus+ supports
The programme finances a range of actions linked to a sporting event. Core supported items include the preparation and organisation of the event, plus any educational activities for athletes, coaches, organisers and volunteers that take place before or alongside the competition.
Funded work may also cover side-activities such as conferences and seminars designed to amplify the event’s social or educational objectives.
Complementary activities that strengthen impact are equally eligible: volunteer training, legacy work like evaluations and strategic planning, and communication activities tied to the event’s themes. The emphasis is on projects that leave a lasting benefit rather than one-off sporting contests, so proposals that plan follow-up actions and knowledge transfer tend to align well with the programme’s aims.
Supported themes and objectives
Funding prioritises events that promote volunteering in sport, social inclusion through sport, the fight against discrimination (including gender equality) and initiatives that encourage broader participation in physical activity. Projects that weave several of these goals into their activities — for instance combining volunteer training with inclusive outreach — are more likely to show a strong European added value.
Event formats and participation rules
There are two main organisational models for supported events. A Europe-wide event is a single event hosted in one country but involving participants from many other countries. A European-local event consists of parallel activities in several countries (one event per participating country), designed to create a coherent transnational project.
Minimum participation requirements
European-local events have two types: Type I requires between three and five organisations from three to five different Programme Countries, while Type II requires at least six organisations from six different Programme Countries. A Europe-wide event must involve at least ten participating organisations from ten Programme Countries, and the applicant organisation counts among those participants.
Who can apply and key conditions
Applications must be submitted by an organisation based in a Programme Country. Eligible applicants include public bodies and nongovernmental organisations active in sport or related areas; affiliated entities of an applicant may also participate. The focus is on organisations that can deliver the event and ensure transnational collaboration.
Example of eligible organisations
Typical applicants are local, regional or national public bodies in charge of sport, sport federations or clubs operating at various levels, National Olympic Committees or sport confederations, bodies representing the sport for all movement, organisations promoting physical activity, and associations from the active leisure, education, training or youth sectors. All must be able to demonstrate capacity to coordinate partners and manage the proposed activities.
Project duration, exclusions and how to find out more
Applicants choose a project duration of either 12 or 18 months depending on the objectives and the planned activities across the lifetime of the project. This selection should reflect a realistic timeline for preparation, implementation and legacy work. Proposals that require a longer timeframe should justify why 18 months are necessary for impact and follow-up.
What is not supported
The action does not fund routine competitions organised by national, European or international sport federations, associations or leagues on a regular basis (such as annual national or world championships), unless the request is specifically for the organisation of side activities aimed at reaching large audiences and addressing social objectives. In other words, core commercial or routine championship events are outside the scope unless a substantial, inclusive educational component is funded.
Where to get authoritative information
The definitive source of rules and evaluation criteria is the Erasmus+ Programme Guide. The guide explains priorities, award criteria, funding rules and other essential details applicants need to prepare a compliant application. Prospective applicants should consult the guide early and align their proposals with the programme’s priorities to maximise their chance of success.
