A Council of Europe team conducted a support and follow-up visit to Helsinki on 18 and 19 April to help Finland incorporate the European Sports Charter (ESC) into its legislation and policies. The ESC provides guidelines for national sports policies, enabling governments to promote and facilitate the practice of sport for all within well-defined parameters.
During the visit, the team engaged with key stakeholders actively involved in promoting values-based sports in Finland. This included meetings with 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 various sectors of the sports movement such as the Olympic and Paralympic Committees, non-organised sport, athletes, the media, and others.
The team consisted of Kaarel Nestor (Estonia), a member of the EPAS Governing Board, Diana Santos (Portugal), Hugh Torrance (EGLSF), a member of the EPAS Consultative Committee, and two members of the Secretariat. The insights and suggestions gathered during this visit will be compiled into a report for Finnish authorities to implement tailored recommendations. The final report will be published on the Council of Europe’s website in 2024 for public access.
The Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) mandate supports member states in implementing ESC principles by providing guidance and assistance. During this visit to Helsinki, Finland was provided with valuable information that will help them create more effective legislation and policies that promote values-based sports practices while ensuring equality for all participants.