Coronavirus: EU supports Member States dealing with the impact of the pandemic on the sport sector

The Commission is supporting EU Member States as they deal with the substantial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sport sector. At a videoconference on 21 April 2020, EU Sport Ministers shared information on their actions to help athletes, clubs, sport federations and organisations, support jobs in the sectorand promote physical activity in general under the current exceptional circumstances. The Commission outlined its instruments and resources to provide assistance and invited Member States to use them for the sport sector. These include the Corona Crisis Investment Initiative (CRII), Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE) and the Temporary Framework for State Aid. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, responsible for Sport, said: “Sport teaches us resilience and discipline, but also solidarity and how to act as a team. We will set up a platform to facilitate exchange of good practices and experiences among Member States. In this time of crisis, we will continue to use our existing tools including Erasmus+ and the European Week of Sport to help the sport sector but we will also need to come up with innovative solutions. I will do my utmost to ensure a coordinated European response.” Member States also welcomed the Commission’s coordination efforts and expressed support for the Commission’s #BeActiveAtHome initiative. More information on yesterday’s videoconference is available in news from the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU.