The Council of Europe team visited Helsinki on 18 and 19 April to provide support and follow-up on the incorporation of the European Sports Charter (ESC) into Finnish legislation and policies. The ESC outlines key principles for national sports policies, allowing governments to promote and facilitate sport for all within defined guidelines.
During the visit, the team met with various stakeholders involved in promoting values-based sports in Finland, including Sandra Bergqvist, Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity, Esko Ranto, Director General of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Tiina Kivisaari, Director of the Sports Division of the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity, as well as representatives from different sectors such as the Olympic and Paralympic Committees, non-organized sports, athletes, media representatives and others.
The visit was part of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) mandate to support member states in implementing the ESC. The team included Kaarel Nestor (Estonia), a member of EPAS Governing Board; Diana Santos (Portugal), Hugh Torrance (EGLSF), a member of EPAS Consultative Committee; two members from EPAS Secretariat.
The insights gathered during the visit will be compiled into a report for Finnish authorities to implement tailored recommendations. The final report will be published on Council of Europe’s website in 2024 for public access.