237 Projects Enter the Race for the 2026 #BeActive EU Sport Awards

The application window for the #BeActive EU Sport Awards 2026 has closed, drawing 237 submissions from across Europe. The call ran from 30 June to 17 September 2026, and the response indicates broad interest in a programme built around sport’s contribution to health, community and shared European values.

Five categories, one grand prize

Entries were spread across five distinct categories: Inclusion, Physical activity, Volunteering, Across generations and Peace. Each category will produce one winner, with a prize of €15,000, plus two finalists who will each receive €5,000. The total prize fund stands at €125,000.

That structure means 15 finalists in all — three per category — will go forward to compete for the grand prize. The awards are designed to highlight best practices and projects that encourage sport participation for people of all ages and backgrounds.

From eligibility checks to evaluation

With the call now closed, the process has entered the admissibility and eligibility stage. This step verifies that each submission meets the formal requirements before any assessment of quality begins. The evaluation itself will run from September 2026 through March 2027, a six-month period during which the 237 applications will be whittled down to the finalist list.

Only after that selection will the finalists compete for the grand prize. The winners will be revealed at a ceremony in June 2027. The exact date and location of the ceremony have not been announced.

What the awards recognise

The initiative recognises sport projects that improve health, strengthen communities, advance inclusion and reflect European values. By focusing on these areas, the awards aim to surface practical examples that can inspire others across the Union. The 237 applications represent a wide range of efforts, though the names of applicants, their countries and the specific projects remain undisclosed.

As the evaluation unfolds over the coming months, the shortlist of 15 will take shape. For now, the story is one of scale: hundreds of initiatives have put themselves forward, and the selection process is officially under way.