GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

Grassroots sports is a traditional and slowly evolving area. Society in general and individuals’ needs and preferences regarding sports, however, change more rapidly. Indeed, participation figures highlight a growing mismatch between the provision of opportunities for sports via traditional sports organisations and the demand for sports from individuals. The way in which sports associations and clubs are organised and their lack of innovation prevents them from bridging this gap.

In order to produce a working innovative ecosystem for grassroots sports organisations, two things are needed: new, soft programmes offering sports in new ways, and a flexible sports infrastructure able to host different sports at a single location.

This preparatory action aims to identify and test multiple promising innovations in both categories. To achieve this, innovation challenges will be organised that select and reward promising innovations by any interested party (institution, company, start-up, individual(s) or other parties), which can be introduced and tested over a substantial period (minimum six months). The funding will be invested in soft programmes and new (small) sports infrastructure.