Presidency
Estonia
Period: July–December 2017
EU Council: 21 November 2017
Minister responsible: Indrek SAAR, Minister of Culture
Sport Working Party Chair: Kairis ULP
Adopted EU Council Policy Documents
Policy Debate
Topic: Main challenges facing sport in the 21st century.
Guest speakers: Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Background paper
High-level Structured Dialogue
Topic: Cooperation between the EU, governments and sport movement.
Guest speakers: Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Interviews and Testimonials
Kairis Ulp
Adopted on 21 November 2017, these Council conclusions emphasise that coaches are essential actors not only in achieving sporting excellence but also in fostering broader social, educational and health objectives.
The document recognises that coaching goes far beyond training athletes for performance — it encompasses mentoring, education, inclusion, personal development, and social responsibility. The conclusions acknowledge that the social role of sport has expanded in response to changing societal challenges such as declining physical activity, youth unemployment, migration, social exclusion, and gender inequality. Against this background, the role of coaches has evolved accordingly: coaches are now seen as facilitators of physical literacy, healthy lifestyles, inclusion, and lifelong learning. Their work extends from elite sport to grassroots and recreational levels, involving diverse groups such as children, elderly citizens, persons with disabilities, and socially disadvantaged populations.
The document recognises that coaching goes far beyond training athletes for performance — it encompasses mentoring, education, inclusion, personal development, and social responsibility. The conclusions acknowledge that the social role of sport has expanded in response to changing societal challenges such as declining physical activity, youth unemployment, migration, social exclusion, and gender inequality. Against this background, the role of coaches has evolved accordingly: coaches are now seen as facilitators of physical literacy, healthy lifestyles, inclusion, and lifelong learning. Their work extends from elite sport to grassroots and recreational levels, involving diverse groups such as children, elderly citizens, persons with disabilities, and socially disadvantaged populations.
Member States are encouraged to integrate coaching into national qualification frameworks, promote the recognition of informal and non-formal learning, and support continuous professional development opportunities.
Council Resolution on Further developing the EU Structured Dialogue on sport.
Summary Full text Source
The Resolution recognises that the previous structured dialogue framework (2010) between public authorities and sport stakeholders in the EU has established a solid basis, but requires updating to better meet current-and-future sport-policy challenges.
It highlights the need for greater flexibility in meeting formats, more openness to participation, better coordination by the Council Presidency and enhanced communication with the sports movement.
It highlights the need for greater flexibility in meeting formats, more openness to participation, better coordination by the Council Presidency and enhanced communication with the sports movement.
It establishes three tiers for the structured dialogue: (1) a high-level component for ministers and top sport-stakeholder representatives; (2) an operational-level component for senior directors in sport and related bodies; and (3) the annual EU Sport Forum as a broader platform. Member States, the Commission and the sport movement are invited to promote dissemination of EU sport policy, reinforce their cooperation and ensure the sports movement is actively engaged in dialogue and policy input.