European Social Charter for Sport Events

Background The European Social Charter for Sport Events is necessary not only to enshrine the fundamental ethical commitments of the European sports community but as well to provide some practical responses to criticisms raised against the negative social, environmental, economic or human rights impacts of sport events. The Charter would also ensure that organizers respect human rights (including core labor rights) of those affected by sport events and control their environmental footprint. Objectives This Social Charter aims to be a reference document in social policies in the sport sector in the European Union. It should be suitable to widest audience possible amongst the sport event's organizers, in all EU Member States. As such, it intends to contribute to both the European sport policy by promoting good governance of European sport events, and to the European social policy by ensuring the implementation of social commitments in the European sport activities and events. Implementation The project began with a study phase to produce a background on the implementation of social commitments in sport events. A questionnaire was sent to sport events actors for a better understanding of their needs. Then the consortium led a phase on the production and testing of the social charter and the guidelines document that will help sport event organisers to implement the social charter.The last months were dedicated to promoting ESCSE and give it the biggest possible legacy on the sector. Achievements After three years of reflection and testing, the European Social Charter for Sport Events was presented in Brussels in November 2023, with thirteen commitments that could help to improve the social impact of sport events in Europe. These commitments are structured into three pillars : Governance, Workforce and Sustainability.Accompanied by guidelines to facilitate their implementation and adaptation, they are flexible and applicable to all sports, in all European countries and at all levels.