On 2 July, an ENGSO delegation met with European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, to emphasise the importance of keeping grassroots sport at the centre of European sport policy. Vice President Filipa Godinho, ExCom Member and Chair of the EU Advisory Committee Theo Neyenhuis, and Secretary General Sara Massini presented ENGSO’s work and underlined the crucial role grassroots sport plays in social inclusion, resilience, and the overall European sport model. Discussions also touched on the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034), with ENGSO advocating for Erasmus+ to remain accessible to grassroots sport organisations and for clear safeguards ensuring dedicated funding for youth and sport.

The meeting further addressed key issues such as the evolving challenges of volunteering at grassroots level, the recognition of skills and competencies gained through sport volunteering, and the need for stronger institutional dialogue. ENGSO proposed the establishment of a dedicated initiative to formally acknowledge the contribution of volunteers, particularly young people, as a way to strengthen the grassroots movement. The exchange with Commissioner Micallef reinforced ENGSO’s role as the leading advocate for grassroots sport in Europe and its determination to secure long-term support for the sector in future EU programmes and policies.