Representatives from the European Olympic Committees’ (EOC) EU Office attended the European Union (EU) Sport Forum at the Palais des Congrès in Liège, Belgium, from April 16-17.

The annual EU Sport Forum is organised by the European Commission and provides an important opportunity to discuss sports policies and address challenges with representatives of EU institutions and member states.

This year’s two-day gathering featured a focus on the connection between EU and Olympic values with the Olympic Games poised to make their return to the continent from July 26 to August 11 in Paris.

With more than 35 National Olympic Committee (NOC) and Federation partners and experience coordinating eight Erasmus+ projects, the EOC EU Office proactively makes a significant contribution to the sporting landscape of the continent.

Deputy Director of the EOC EU Office and Erasmus+ OCEAN Project Manager Eva Rebmann featured on a panel discussion about green and sustainable sport at the EU Sport Forum.

Rebmann delivered a presentation on the OCEAN Project, which is co-financed by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme. Under the guidance of the EOC EU Office, it is engaging 18 NOCs in initiatives to measure and reduce carbon footprint.

Director Folker Hellmund, Policy Officers Jakob Krones and Elisabeth Strobach, Head of EU Funding Carlotta Giussani and EU Funding Officer Francesca Carnio were also in attendance from the EOC EU Office.

The Chair of the EOC’s EU and International Relations Commission José Manuel Araújo was one of the speakers in a panel discussion on “Paris 2024 and UEFA EURO 2024 – major sport events as a vehicle for EU values”.

Araújo promoted the values of the Olympic Movement and stressed the importance of sport clubs in Europe, highlighting the need for support at both national and European levels. He also emphasised that the EOC EU Office is as an important actor to “spread EU values to all NOCs of Europe and support change, notably with the help of the Erasmus+ Sport programme”.

The EU Sport Forum additionally included the ceremony for the #BeInclusive EU Sport Awards, question and answer opportunities with Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and sessions on topics such as fair play, women in sport, youth and health in the digital age, athletes’ rights and future EU sport policy.

Folker Hellmund emphasised the importance of the EOC EU Office’s presence at the EU Sport Forum.

“It was our pleasure to contribute to a fruitful two days of discussions on a range of important issues related to sports policies at the EU Sport Forum,” Hellmund said.

“The EOC EU Office is committed to representing the EOC and the organised sport movement in European institutions, and events such as the EU Sport Forum are invaluable in allowing us to meet with our partner organisations,engage with our political stakeholders and help shape the future of values-based European sport.”