The European Commission Directorate General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) has launched a Call for Applications to set up a High Level Group on Grassroots Sport under the political leadership of Commissioner Navracsics.
The aim of the group is to evaluate the place and role of grassroots sport in European society and provide ideas on how the EU could better support grassroots sport. It will also analyse the role of grassroots sport in the promotion of positive values such as tolerance.

Objective
The group should produce a report and a set of recommendations on:
– The societal importance of grassroots sport in the EU (e.g. social inclusion);
– The contribution of grassroots sport to the economy;
– The links between professional sport and grassroots sport;
– The ways in which the EU could better support grassroots sport;
– Models of governance and funding across EU Member States;
– Best practices on the promotion of grassroots sport in Member States.

The final report should be produced by June 2016.

Composition of the High level group
The members of the group designated by the Commission will be:
1) Organisations active in the field of sport, in particular federations, professional and grassroots sport associations, non-governmental organisations, universities, research institutes, civil society (including European and international organisations).
2) Individuals acting independently and expressing their own personal views.
The appointment of members of the High level group will be for the duration of the works.

Eligible applicants should have specific knowledge and demonstrated professional experience with regard to grassroots sport.
In the case of organisations, they should preferably be an international or European umbrella organisation of national or regional organisations.
Representative(s) of organisations as well as the individual applicants should:
– have proven competence and experience, including at European and/or international level, in areas relevant to the mandate of the High level group;
– be of an appropriate senior level in the case of representatives of organisations and
– have a good knowledge of English, French or German.

The High level group will hold a minimum of four meetings on Commission premises in Brussels. The works of the High level group should start in October 2015.
Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by the participants will be reimbursed by the Commission. Participants shall not receive remuneration for their duties.
The working language for documents will be English.

Deadline: 15 July 2015, 18h00, (Brussels time).

Find out more: http://ec.europa.eu/sport/news/2015/0615-high-level-group-sport_en_en.htm