The Give Sport a Say project officially launched with a productive two-day online kick-off meeting held on Tuesday, March 10, and Friday, March 13, 2026. Co-funded by the European Union, the initiative is set to harness the unique power of grassroots sports to bridge the gap between citizens and policy-makers.

As part of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, the project is built on the conviction that the sports environment is one of the most effective arenas for educating citizens on EU fundamental values. By engaging athletes, officials, and sports organizations, the project aims to turn local sports clubs into hubs for active citizenship and democratic dialogue.

The project is structured around a strategic two-year timeline, divided into three distinct phases designed to empower participants:
- Inform: Evaluating current knowledge of EU priorities and demystifying the decision-making processes.
- Build Capacity: Increasing awareness of democracy and human rights while providing practical advocacy skills.
- Engage: Empowering citizens to take part in policy dialogues and contributing fresh ideas for the future of EU sport policy.

Over the next 24 months, the consortium will organize a total of 16 events across Europe. These activities will be integrated into existing sports, educational, and governance gatherings, ensuring that the conversation reaches a diverse range of citizens who might otherwise remain unheard in EU-level policy discussions.

"Give Sport a Say: give citizens a real say for the future of the EU in and through sports" is led by OPES (Italy) and supported by a diverse consortium of seven partners dedicated to social change through sport. University sport is one of the target groups, represented through the EUSA Institute as one of the key partners of the project.

EUSA Institute is proud to partner in this initiative, furthering our commitment to social responsibility and the promotion of European values through university sport. We look forward to sharing regular updates as the project progresses and the first events begin to take shape.

For more information, please visit www.eusa.eu/projects/give-sport-a-say.