#BeActive-EU-SPORT-AWARDS – Inclusion

BeActive-EU-SPORT-AWARDS – Inclusion is an Erasmus+ EU Prize recognising organisations that have used sport to promote social inclusion, gender equality, diversity and unity. Eligible applicants are legal entities established in EU Member States or countries associated to Erasmus+, activities must be already implemented with tangible results, and individuals are not eligible for this category. The prize pool for the Inclusion category is €25,000 (winner €15,000; two finalists €5,000 each) within a total €125,000 across five categories. The call opens 30 June 2026 with a submission deadline of 17 September 2026 at 17:00 CET via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; enquiries to EACEA-SPORT@ec.europa.eu.

What it funds

Purpose

Prize recognising organisations that use sport to promote social inclusion, gender equality, diversity and unity, addressing barriers for underrepresented or disadvantaged groups (eg ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, vulnerable young people).

Funding per category:Total prize pool per category €25,000. Winner €15,000; two finalists €5,000 each. Overall call budget €125,000 (five categories) ¹.

Who can apply

Legal entities (public or private bodies, including international organisations) established in eligible Erasmus+ countries. Activities must have been implemented and produced tangible results. Individuals are eligible only in the Volunteering category (not this Inclusion category).

1. 1Applications submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (single-stage).
2. 2Applicants must be registered in the Participant Register (PIC) before the deadline.
3. 3Joint applications allowed; appoint a lead applicant.

Eligibility, admissibility rules, evaluation criteria and submission instructions are in the Rules of Contest and the Topic page on the Funding & Tenders Portal. Apply via the topic page on the Portal.

Footnotes

1. 1Call document and full rules: Call fiche and Rules of Contest.

Opportunity summary

Call title:#BeActive EU Sport Awards. Topic: Inclusion. Programme: Erasmus+ (2021-2027). Type of opportunity: Call for a prize (EU Prize / Award). Opening date: 30 June 2026. Deadline for submission: 17 September 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Single-stage submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System. Responsible managing authority: European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Contact for questions: EACEA-SPORT@ec.europa.eu. Call documentation and Rules of Contest available on the Funding & Tenders Portal Call fiche and Rules of Contest. ¹

Scope and purpose:This category recognises sport activities implemented by organisations that have successfully used sport as a tool to promote social inclusion, gender equality, diversity and unity. It rewards initiatives that break down barriers, empower and include underrepresented groups (for example ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, vulnerable young people), foster understanding and peace, and contribute to building more inclusive and united communities across eligible countries.

Detailed eligibility and applicant types

Eligible applicant types and legal status:Applicants must be legal entities (private or public bodies, including international organisations). Natural persons (individuals) are generally not eligible, except for the Volunteering category where individuals over 18 can be awarded and be recipients of the prize (this topic is the Inclusion category; individuals are not the primary eligible applicants for Inclusion). Entities without legal personality under national law may exceptionally participate if their representatives can assume legal obligations and provide equivalent guarantees. Applicants must be registered in the Participant Register (PIC) and validated by the Central Validation Service (REA Validation).

Examples of eligible applicant types:NGOs, nonprofit organisations, sport clubs, public authorities, local authorities, universities and research institutes (where relevant), large enterprises and SMEs if they are legal entities implementing sport activities, international organisations. Joint applications by groups of applicants are permitted, in which case a lead applicant must be appointed and all partners are jointly responsible and must fulfil eligibility conditions.

Ineligible or restricted applicants:Entities subject to EU exclusion decisions, entities subject to EU restrictive or conditionality measures, applicants in bankruptcy or similar procedures, or applicants with serious breaches of obligations listed in the Rules of Contest are barred from participation. Applicants must not be subject to restrictions under EU sanctions or other exclusion grounds described in the Rules of Contest.

Funding type and financial details

Primary funding mechanism:Prize / Award (EU Prize under Erasmus+). The call is not a grant for project implementation but an EU prize recognising past activities that have already produced tangible results.

1. 1Total available budget for the #BeActive EU Sport Awards (all five categories combined): €125,000 for 2026.
2. 2Per-category allocation: €25,000. Within each category the distribution is: one winner €15,000; two finalists (ranked 2nd and 3rd) €5,000 each.
3. 3Budget disbursement: Prize money is paid after the award ceremony upon submission of requested administrative documents. For joint winners, payment is made to the lead applicant.

Geographic scope and eligible countries

Beneficiary scope:Applicants must be established in eligible countries for Erasmus+. Eligible countries include EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories where applicable) and non-EU countries that are either EEA countries or countries associated to Erasmus+, as well as countries with ongoing negotiations to associate where association enters into force before the award decision. Applications must relate to activities implemented in these eligible countries.

Explicitly mentioned geographic regions or countries:EU Member States and countries associated to the Erasmus+ Programme / EEA countries. No single list of country names is reproduced here in full by the Rules of Contest, applicants should consult the Eligible countries - Erasmus+ guidance on the Funding & Tenders Portal for the up-to-date list.

Target sector and thematic scope

Primary sector:Sport (sport and physical activity). Secondary and cross-cutting thematic areas: social inclusion, gender equality, diversity, community cohesion, health promotion (prevention of non-communicable diseases with an emphasis on cardiovascular health), education, volunteering, inter-generational activities, peace-building. Cross-cutting priorities noted in the metadata include DigitalAgenda and AI but the Inclusion award focuses on social inclusion and diversity.

Project stage and required maturity of activities

Expected maturity:Implemented and demonstrably successful activities. Eligible submissions must describe activities that have already been implemented and for which tangible results are available at the time of application. Projects in development-only stage, not yet implemented, are not eligible. For ongoing or recurrent activities, describe results achieved to date.

Application process and templates

Application method:Single-stage open call (single submission deadline) via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System. Paper submissions are not accepted. Submission is a two-step process: create EU Login and register organisation in Participant Register (obtain PIC), then complete and submit the application in the Submission System.

Application components and templates:Applications must be submitted in three parts: Part A (administrative data) completed online; Part B (technical description) using the mandatory template downloaded from the Submission System (complete, assemble and re-upload as PDF); Annexes and supporting documents (optional communication material only, up to 10 pages). Part B is limited to a maximum of 20 pages; additional pages will be disregarded. Documents must be readable, accessible and printable. Applicants may be asked later for legal entity validation and other supporting documents.

1. 1Part A: Administrative information (online form in Submission System).
2. 2Part B: Description of the activity using mandatory template (max 20 pages; upload as PDF).
3. 3Annexes: Communication material only (optional), up to 10 pages (upload as PDF).

Selection, evaluation and award criteria

Overall procedure:Pre-selection to shortlist the best 6 applications per category, followed by evaluation by an independent Jury of recognised sport and physical activity experts. The pre-selection panel and jury usually differ but can overlap. Mandatory checks (ethics review, legal entity validation, exclusion checks, double funding checks) take place before awarding. Winners and two finalists per category (ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd) will be selected and announced at the award ceremony.

Award criteria and scoring:Applications are evaluated against three award criteria: Relevance (max 40 points), Quality (max 20 points), Impact (max 40 points). Individual thresholds must be met for each criterion (Relevance 20/40, Quality 10/20, Impact 20/40) and the overall threshold is 60/100. In case of tied scores, priority is given to higher Impact score, then Relevance.

1. 1Award criterion 1 – Relevance: alignment with the chosen prize purpose (for Inclusion: breaking down barriers, tackling barriers to participation, outreach to those with limited access, contribution to fighting discrimination, promotion of EU shared values).
2. 2Award criterion 2 – Quality: quality, creativity/innovation, schedule and frequency, participant numbers and accessibility for target groups.
3. 3Award criterion 3 – Impact: qualitative and quantitative impact on participants and communities, benefits beyond sport practice (employment, language skills, empowerment), sustainability and replicability, communication actions to ensure visibility.

Application stages, timelines and evaluation deadlines

Key dates:Call publication 25 June 2026. Submission session open 30 June 2026. Deadline 17 September 2026 17:00 Brussels time. Evaluation period: September 2026 to March 2027. Information to applicants: March 2027. Submission model: single-stage.

Number of evaluation stages:Applications pass through several sequential stages: admissibility checks at submission, pre-selection (shortlist of 6 per category), jury evaluation of shortlisted applications, mandatory administrative checks (legal entity validation, exclusion, double funding, ethics), and final award decision. For practical purposes applicants should expect 3 principal decision stages: 1) admissibility, 2) pre-selection, 3) jury evaluation plus mandatory checks and award decision.

Success rates and competition

Exact success rates are not provided in the call documentation because they depend on the number of applications received. The process includes a pre-selection shortlist of the best 6 applications per category; from those 6 the jury ranks and awards a winner and two finalists (3 prize recipients). Therefore, for shortlisted applicants the success rate is 3 out of 6 (50%), but overall success rate from initial applicant pool depends on total entries and cannot be determined in advance. The awarding authority reserves the right not to award prizes if applications do not meet required standards.

Co-funding and financial obligations

Co-funding requirement:No co-funding from applicants is required because this is a prize award recognising past activity; applicants are not asked to provide co-financing to receive the prize. However, prize recipients must comply with communication and visibility obligations and may need to provide administrative documents for payment (legal entity validation, bank account details). There is a strict prohibition of double funding for the same activities from EU funds.

Nature of support and post-award obligations

Nature of support:Monetary prize (winner and two finalists per category) and non-monetary support in the form of visibility, promotion and dissemination. Prize winners and finalists must promote the prize and its results, acknowledge EU support, display the EU emblem and funding statement, and may be required to participate in the award ceremony and related communication activities. The awarding authority and the European Commission have rights to use non-sensitive material (photos, videos) submitted or produced in relation to the prize.

Evaluation, checks, exclusion and withdrawal

Mandatory checks include legal entity validation, exclusion checks, double funding, ethics review where applicable. The awarding authority may withdraw the prize and recover payments if a prize has been obtained through false information, ineligible recipients, or serious breaches of obligations. Applicants and winners must comply with EU ethical standards, fundamental values and applicable law.

Templates, page limits and submission technicalities

Application templates and technical requirements:Part A (online form) filled directly in the Submission System. Part B must be completed using the mandatory template available in the Submission System, converted to PDF and uploaded. Part B maximum is 20 pages; annexes (communication material only) up to 10 pages. Files must be uploaded to the correct category in the Submission System. The Submission System provides a signed PDF copy of the submitted proposal shortly after submission.

Suggested structure for Part B (technical description) based on Rules of Contest and award criteria:While applicants must use the mandatory template from the Submission System, a strong Part B should cover: 1) Executive summary of the activity (goals, target groups, timeline), 2) Relevance to Inclusion category and to EU values and priorities, 3) Detailed description of activities implemented and methods used (accessibility measures, outreach strategies, gender equality and diversity measures), 4) Evidence of implementation and results (quantitative data on participants, demographics, reach; qualitative outcomes, testimonials), 5) Quality and innovation aspects (creative approaches, frequency and schedule, partnerships), 6) Impact, sustainability and replicability (long-term plans, potential to scale or adapt to other contexts), 7) Communication and dissemination plan (how visibility was achieved), 8) Annexes: supporting communication material (max 10 pages).

Contact, help and further documentation

Submission and portal help:Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual and Portal FAQs provide step-by-step instructions. For IT issues contact the IT Helpdesk. For programmatic questions contact EACEA-SPORT@ec.europa.eu. Applicants must consult the Topic page on the Funding & Tenders Portal for call updates and the full Rules of Contest Call document.

Language and publication:Applications may be submitted in any official EU language, though English is recommended for efficiency. Information about winners (name, address, amount awarded) will be published on the Europa website unless a justified request to waive publication is accepted.

Quick answers to the required classification questions

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: Legal entities (public or private bodies, NGOs, sport clubs, universities, research institutes, public authorities, international organisations). Entities without legal personality may exceptionally participate under conditions. Individuals are not eligible for Inclusion category as applicants; individuals may be awarded only in the Volunteering category.
2. 2Funding Type: Prize / Award (EU Prize under Erasmus+).
3. 3Consortium Requirement: Single applicant allowed; joint (group) applications are allowed (appoint a lead applicant). The application may be a single legal entity or a consortium of applicants; no mandatory consortium requirement.
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): EU Member States and third countries associated to Erasmus+ (EEA and associated countries), and countries negotiating association if association enters into force before award decision. Activities must take place in eligible countries.
5. 5Target Sector: Sport (physical activity) with cross-cutting themes: social inclusion, gender equality, diversity, community cohesion, health promotion, education, volunteering, inter-generational activities, peace.
6. 6Mentioned Countries: No individual countries are enumerated in the topic text; the call references EU Member States and countries associated to Erasmus+ (EEA/associated countries).
7. 7Project Stage: Implemented activities with tangible results; demonstrated/operational stage (not idea or development stage).
8. 8Funding Amount: Total €125,000 across five categories; per category €25,000 (winner €15,000; two finalists €5,000 each).
9. 9Application Type: Open call, single-stage, submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Submission must use online forms and the mandatory Part B template from the Submission System.
10. 10Nature of Support: Monetary prize payments to winners and finalists, plus non-monetary promotion and visibility obligations (communication/dissemination).
11. 11Application Stages: Multiple stages: admissibility checks, pre-selection (shortlist of 6 per category), jury evaluation, mandatory administrative checks and award decision. Practical count: 3 main decision stages.
12. 12Success Rates: Not specified overall; pre-selection reduces to 6 per category, then 3 prize recipients per category. Therefore shortlisted applicants face a 50% chance among the 6 (3 prizes out of 6), but overall success rate depends on total applicant numbers and is not published.
13. 13Co-funding Requirement: No co-funding required. Prize winners must provide administrative documentation for payments and comply with visibility obligations. Double funding from EU sources for the same activity is prohibited.

Full summary and guidance

What this opportunity is about and how to approach it:The #BeActive EU Sport Awards – Inclusion is an Erasmus+ EU Prize that recognises already implemented sport activities by organisations that have demonstrably used sport to promote social inclusion, gender equality, diversity and community cohesion. The award is competitive and evidence-driven: applicants must show tangible results from implemented activities that reduced barriers to sport participation, engaged underrepresented or disadvantaged groups, and advanced EU shared values. The call is not a funding mechanism for new projects but an award for proven initiatives; therefore eligible applicants should prepare concise but evidence-rich submissions documenting implementation, participant data, outcomes beyond sport (empowerment, social integration, employability), sustainability and replicability. Submission is via the Funding & Tenders Portal using Part A and the mandatory Part B template (max 20 pages), with optional annexes limited to communication material (10 pages). Carefully follow administrative requirements (PIC, LEAR where relevant), page limits, layout and the visibility obligations if awarded. The evaluation process includes a pre-selection shortlist of 6 applications per category and a jury evaluation that awards one winner and two finalists per category. The total prize budget for 2026 is €125,000 (€25,000 per category), distributed as €15,000 for the winner and €5,000 to each of the two finalists. Check the Rules of Contest and the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page for full terms, updates, and the mandatory templates before preparing and submitting your application. Call document and submission link

Footnotes

1. 1Full Rules of Contest and call fiche are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal: ec.europa.eu. Applicants must use the mandatory templates available inside the Submission System to prepare Part B and upload annexes.

What This Award Recognizes

This award recognizes sport activities implemented by organizations that have successfully used sport as a powerful tool to promote social inclusion, gender equality, diversity, and unity ¹. It highlights initiatives that break down barriers, empower underrepresented groups, and foster understanding, peace, and diversity in society ².

The category specifically rewards efforts supporting disadvantaged groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and vulnerable young people ³. It celebrates the transformative power of sport in building bridges, empowering communities, and shaping a more inclusive and united society ⁴.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants are legal entities (private or public bodies, including international organizations) established in EU Member States or non-EU countries associated with the Erasmus+ Programme ⁵. Individuals are not eligible for this category; only organizations can apply ⁶.

Applicants must be registered in the Participant Register before the call deadline and must have a valid Participant Identification Code (PIC) ⁷. Activities must have been implemented with tangible results at the time of application; projects still in development are not eligible ⁸.

Key Eligibility Highlights

1. 1Activities must promote social inclusion, gender equality, diversity, and unity through sport
2. 2Initiatives must support disadvantaged groups (ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, vulnerable youth)
3. 3Activities must be implemented with tangible results (no development-phase projects)
4. 4Applicants must be legal entities from eligible Erasmus+ countries
5. 5Single submission per project only; multiple submissions of the same project are ineligible

Financial Details

Total Budget:The total prize budget for all five categories is €125,000 ⁹.

Prize per Category:In the Inclusion category, one winner receives €15,000 and two finalists (ranked 2nd and 3rd) receive €5,000 each ¹⁰.

Timeline and Deadlines

1. 1Call Opening: 30 June 2026
2. 2Submission Deadline: 17 September 2026 at 17:00 CET (Brussels time)
3. 3Evaluation Period: September 2026 – March 2027
4. 4Award Notification: March 2027

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated against three award criteria:Relevance (up to 40 points), Quality (up to 20 points), and Impact (up to 40 points) ¹¹.

To be eligible for the prize, applications must pass individual thresholds (Relevance:20/40, Quality: 10/20, Impact: 20/40) and an overall threshold of 60 points out of 100 ¹². The winner is the application with the highest total score.

How to Submit

Applications must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal ¹³. Paper submissions are not accepted.

The submission includes:Part A (administrative information filled online), Part B (technical description in a downloadable Word template, max 20 pages), and optional Annexes (communication material, max 10 pages) ¹⁴.

Important Conditions

Winners and finalists must promote the prize and acknowledge EU support by displaying the European flag and the funding statement: "Funded by the European Union" ¹⁵.

The prize may be withdrawn if false information, fraud, or corruption was used, or if winners are found ineligible or in serious breach of obligations ¹⁶.

Contact and Support

For non-IT questions, contact EACEA-SPORT@ec.europa.eu ¹⁷. For IT helpdesk issues (e.g., password, access rights), use the official IT Helpdesk webform on the Portal ¹⁸.

Footnotes

1. 1Official description of the Inclusion category: ERASMUS-SPORT-2026-EU-AWARDS-INCLUSION
2. 2Scope and objectives: Call Document Rules of Contest
3. 3Target groups and social challenges: ERASMUS-SPORT-2026-EU-AWARDS-INCLUSION
4. 4Transformative power of sport: Call Document Rules of Contest
5. 5Eligible countries: ERASMUS-SPORT-2026-EU-AWARDS-INCLUSION
6. 6Individuals not eligible for Inclusion category: Call Document Rules of Contest
7. 7Participant Register and PIC requirement: Call Document Rules of Contest
8. 8Tangible results requirement: Call Document Rules of Contest
9. 9Total budget for all categories: ERASMUS-SPORT-2026-EU-AWARDS-INCLUSION
10. 10Prize amounts per category: Call Document Rules of Contest
11. 11Award criteria and scoring: Call Document Rules of Contest
12. 12Thresholds for eligibility: Call Document Rules of Contest
13. 13Electronic submission requirement: Call Document Rules of Contest
14. 14Submission structure and page limits: Call Document Rules of Contest
15. 15Visibility and communication obligations: Call Document Rules of Contest
16. 16Withdrawal of prize conditions: Call Document Rules of Contest
17. 17Contact for non-IT questions: Call Document Rules of Contest
18. 18IT Helpdesk contact: Call Document Rules of Contest