A team of European experts arrived in Helsinki on April 18th and 19th to offer support and follow up on the implementation of the European Sports Charter (ESC) within Finnish legislation and policies. The ESC outlines the fundamental principles for national sports policies, helping governments create opportunities for all citizens to participate in sports under specific conditions.
During their visit, the team met with key stakeholders promoting values-based sports in Finland. This included discussions 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 sports organizations like the Olympic and Paralympic Committees, athletes, non-organized sports groups, media representatives and others.
The visit was part of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) mandate to help member states implement the ESC. The team consisted of Kaarel Nestor from Estonia, a member of EPAS Governing Board; Diana Santos from Portugal; Hugh Torrance from EGLSF; two members of EPAS Secretariat.
After assessing Finland’s progress towards implementing the ESC’s principles
