EMCA President Christina Tsiligkiri Meets European Commissioner Glenn Micallef in Brussels to Discuss the Future and Financial Sustainability of European Sport
High-level discussions with European Commission representatives, financial institutions and innovation stakeholders highlight new opportunities for multisport clubs, investment and European cooperation.
The European Multisport Club Association (EMCA) strengthened its engagement with European institutions through a series of high-level meetings and discussions in Brussels, led by its President, Christina Tsiligkiri.
The visit included participation in a European policy discussion on sport funding and investment, followed by a separate meeting with Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport.
The discussions addressed some of the most pressing challenges facing European multisport clubs, including financial sustainability, access to European funding programmes, investment in sports infrastructure and the long-term development of the European Sport Model.
High-Level Dialogue on European Sport, Funding and Investment
During the first part of the visit, EMCA President Christina Tsiligkiri participated in a high-level dialogue on sport funding, investment and innovation, co-organised by the European Platform for Sport Innovation (EPSI) and the European Commission’s Sport Unit, with the active involvement of Alberto Bichi from EPSI.
The discussions brought together representatives of European institutions, financial organisations and stakeholders involved in sport investment, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Participants included Giorgio Guazzugli Marini from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC); Alberto Bichi from the European Platform for Sport Innovation (EPSI); Marina Piccioni from the Istituto per il Credito Sportivo e Culturale; Jan Debets from META Group; Rohn Malhotra from SportsTechX; and Sebastian Bellin, former Belgian international basketball player and entrepreneur.
Representatives of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) also contributed to the discussions.
A central theme was the financial sustainability of the European Sport Model and the growing need to connect its social objectives with realistic economic and operational frameworks.
During her intervention, Christina Tsiligkiri raised a fundamental question concerning the future of European sport:
How can the European Sport Model remain sustainable if the organisations responsible for delivering its social and sporting benefits lack adequate financial resources?
Drawing on the experience of EMCA member organisations and examples from major European multisport clubs, including Olympiacos, she highlighted the substantial costs associated with operating multiple sporting departments, maintaining facilities, supporting athletes and coaches, and providing sporting opportunities for families and local communities.
She emphasised that the social value of sport must be accompanied by a realistic discussion about the financial resources required to sustain it.
The issue is particularly relevant to multisport clubs, which frequently support sporting disciplines with limited commercial revenue while maintaining broad community participation and grassroots development programmes.
Expanding European Funding Opportunities Beyond Erasmus+ Sport
Another important subject was the need to expand access to European funding instruments beyond Erasmus+ Sport.
With the European Commission preparing a new Communication on Sport and discussions concerning the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework already underway, EMCA considers the current period particularly important for the future financing of European sport.
The discussions explored potential opportunities linked to innovation, investment, health, digital transformation and sports infrastructure, as well as the possibility of strengthening cooperation between sports organisations and European financial institutions.
Particular attention was given to the role of innovation ecosystems and organisations such as META Group and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology in supporting projects with practical applications and long-term development potential.
Christina Tsiligkiri also addressed the sustainability of EU-funded projects, highlighting the importance of ensuring that project outcomes remain relevant and accessible after the formal funding period has ended.
Referring to experience from a Horizon-funded digital project, she noted that successfully completing a project and meeting its contractual objectives does not necessarily guarantee that its results will be widely adopted by their intended users.
For EMCA, this reinforces the need to design European projects around clearly identified beneficiaries, practical applications and sustainable exploitation strategies from the earliest stages of development.
Meeting with European Commissioner Glenn Micallef
The second part of the visit included a separate meeting between EMCA President Christina Tsiligkiri and European Commissioner Glenn Micallef.
The discussion focused on the future of European sport and the importance of improving coordination between different European Commission services and policy areas.
Christina Tsiligkiri highlighted that sport contributes directly to several European priorities, including public health, education, social inclusion, innovation and youth development.
However, sports organisations often face difficulties accessing funding opportunities associated with these sectors.
The discussion therefore addressed the importance of stronger coordination across European policy areas and the need to ensure that sports organisations can participate more effectively in relevant funding programmes and initiatives.
The EMCA President also presented the practical financial challenges faced by multisport clubs, including the costs of maintaining multiple sporting activities, operating facilities and supporting disciplines that depend heavily on private contributions.
The exchange of views included potential approaches to attracting private investment, creating additional revenue streams through the commercial use of sports facilities and surrounding areas, and exploring financial mechanisms involving guarantees and cooperation with European financial institutions.
These possibilities were discussed as potential approaches for further exploration and do not represent approved funding instruments or formal commitments.
Another issue raised by the EMCA President concerned the movement of young European athletes to the United States, particularly through university sports programmes.
Christina Tsiligkiri stressed the importance of strengthening opportunities within Europe that allow young athletes to combine high-level sporting development with education and long-term career prospects.
Recognising the Practical Experience of Multisport Clubs
A significant aspect of the meeting concerned the contribution that multisport organisations can make to European sport policy development.
Christina Tsiligkiri emphasised that EMCA member clubs possess extensive practical experience in managing sporting activities, developing grassroots programmes, operating facilities and implementing European projects.
This experience can provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by sports organisations and contribute to identifying solutions and good practices that can be adapted across different European countries.
Commissioner Micallef expressed interest in the practical experience and perspectives presented during the discussion, and the possibilities raised were identified as matters for further consideration.
Following the meeting, EMCA intends to maintain contact with the Commissioner’s office and explore the possibility of a follow-up discussion focused on more specific proposals.
No formal agreement or date for a further meeting has been established.
EMCA’s Priorities Following the Brussels Meetings
The discussions in Brussels highlighted several areas that EMCA intends to pursue in cooperation with its member clubs and European partners.
These include broadening participation in European funding programmes beyond Erasmus+ Sport, strengthening the long-term sustainability of European project results and identifying practical examples of successful financing and facilities management models within the Association’s membership.
EMCA also aims to further develop its institutional dialogue with the European Commission and other European stakeholders, ensuring that the experience of multisport clubs is represented in discussions concerning the future of European sport.
Following the Association’s Open Day on 5 October, preparations are already underway for the next phase of European project development and consortium cooperation.
The outcomes of the Brussels meetings will contribute to these preparations, particularly in relation to the identification of funding opportunities, the development of project concepts and the establishment of new partnerships.
The Association’s upcoming activities include a hybrid consortium meeting scheduled for 17 December 2026, followed by the Erasmus+ Sport Info Day in Brussels on 18 December 2026.
These meetings will provide further opportunities for EMCA members and partners to exchange ideas, explore potential collaborations and develop proposals addressing the evolving needs of European multisport clubs.
A Stronger Voice for Multisport Clubs in Europe
Through its continued engagement with European institutions, financial stakeholders and innovation organisations, EMCA seeks to strengthen the role of multisport clubs in shaping the future of European sport.
The Association remains committed to promoting a European Sport Model that combines sporting development, social inclusion and community participation with financial sustainability and long-term institutional resilience.
For EMCA, the objective is clear: to ensure that the organisations delivering the social value of European sport have the resources, opportunities and institutional recognition needed to sustain their contribution for future generations.
