Sport for All: Building Active Communities in Romania

Purpose: Making sport accessible to as many people as possible by developing sports infrastructure in Romania for mass/grassroots sports. (this can be customized for a specific sport). The presence of an extensive sports infrastructure would allow people to engage in more physical activity, have more outdoor activities, and encourage social interaction.
Context: In Eastern Europe, including the Balkan region, participation in sport remains limited, a phenomenon influenced not only by funding levels but also by cultural factors, social cohesion, education, and civic traditions. A study published in 2025 under the auspices of the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) shows that the frequency of sports participation is higher in Northern and Western European countries, and that participation is influenced not only by funding but also by social and cultural factors.

https://www.eipa.eu/news/beyond-budgets-benchmarking-trends-in-sport-participation-across-europe/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
On the other hand, there are countries and regions—often in South-Eastern or Eastern Europe—where access to sports infrastructure is more limited and facilities may be below standard. In general, according to recent studies, sports participation is lower in Southern and Eastern Europe. In some countries, sports policy has a lower priority, which affects the quality of sports halls, swimming pools, sports fields, and public access.

Objective: 20 sports professionals affiliated with sports clubs/associations in Romania will learn from partners (other sports clubs) in countries with well-developed sports infrastructure how to influence and persuade public authorities to fund such infrastructure. The project will involve exchange of experience and best practices.