EUROPEAN COMMISSION Grants 447,000 € to Special Olympics

A grant of 447,120.00 € was awarded to Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia under Preparatory Action in the field of sport 2009.
Olympics Europe/Eurasia have received a significant boost to its efforts in promoting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities through sport, on receiving this week a funding grant of 447,120.000 € from the European Commission under the Preparatory Action in the field of sport 2009.
Mary Davis, Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia said: “We are delighted to receive this financial endorsement from the European Commission. This grant funding will certainly further our aim of helping to empower through sport, people with intellectual disabilities across Europe, while also changing attitudes, fostering community building and creating a more inclusive and accepting world for all of us.
“I believe we are entering into an exciting new phase for sport in Europe. The European Union (EU) has recognised the important role sport plays in education, culture, social cohesion and public health within our European society.  With the impending ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, at last Europe has a legal base to provide a supporting role to member states. EU institutions will be able to recognise the important role of sport in European societies far more than they have ever been able to do in the past,” continued Mary Davis.
The objective of the 2009 Preparatory Action in the field of sport is to prepare the European Union for implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon after ratification on the basis of priorities set out in the White Paper on Sport of 14 April 2008. The Treaty of Lisbon is an international agreement signed in Lisbon, Portugal, on 13 December 2007 designed to reform the workings of the EU.
For Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia a significant portion of the grant funding will go towards its Unified Sports® programme which creates opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete together on integrated teams.  The experience allows participants to develop sports skills and further social cohesion in the community.
Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia operates across 58 countries in Europe and Central Asia proving year-round sports training and competitions to half a million athletes.