FESI celebrates progress in campaign for EC level sports recognition
The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) has welcomed the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) vote on the future Erasmus+ programme 2028–2034, proposing to increase the share of funding dedicated to sport from 1.9% to 4.1%.
FESI also welcomes the proposed increase in the overall Erasmus+ budget to €47.39 billion for 2028–2034, representing an increase of around 16% compared with the €40.8 billion proposed by the European Commission in July 2025. The current 2021–2027 Erasmus+ programme has a budget of approximately €26 billion.
FESI said this is an important step towards ensuring that the next EU budget better reflects the contribution and potential of sport and physical activity across Europe.
Jérôme Pero, FESI secretary general, said: “We welcome this important step forward for sport within Erasmus+. Sport and physical activity contribute to healthier and more inclusive societies, education and skills development and stronger communities. The future EU budget should reflect this broad contribution and ensure that sport has the resources and visibility to play its full role.”
Ahead of the European Commission’s proposal in May 2025, FESI brought together more than 150 organisations calling for stronger recognition and funding for sport and physical activity in the next EU budget and Erasmus+ programme.
Ariane Gatti, senior communication and policy manager at FESI, said: “This outcome demonstrates the value of coordinated advocacy across the sport and physical activity sector.”
FESI represents the interests of 1,800 sporting goods manufacturers, around 85% of the European market.
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