European Sport for All Charter

Principles for a policy of sport for all 

(Defined by the Conference of European Ministers responsible for Sport in Brussels (1975) under the title "European Sport for All Charter")

Article 1

Every individual shall have the right to participate in sport.

Article 2

Sport shall be encouraged as an important factor in human development and appropriate support shall be made available out of public funds.

Article 3

Sport, being an aspect of socio-cultural development, shall be related at local, regional and national levels to other areas of policy-making and planning such as education, health, social service, town and country planning, conservation, the arts and leisure services.

Article 4

Each government shall foster permanent and effective co-operation between public authorities and voluntary organisations and shall encourage the establishment of national machinery for the development and co-ordination of sport for all.

Article 5

Methods shall be sought to safeguard sport and sportsmen from exploitation for political, commercial or financial gain, and from practices that are abusive and debasing, including the unfair use of drugs.

Article 6

Since the scale of participation in sport is dependent, among other things, on the extent, the variety and the accessibility of facilities, the overall planning of facilities shall be accepted as a matter for public authorities, shall take account of local, regional and national requirements, and shall incorporate measures designed to ensure full use of both new and existing facilities.

Article 7

Measures, including legislation where appropriate, shall be introduced to ensure access to open country and water for the purpose of recreation.

Article 8

In any programme of sports development, the need for qualified personnel at all levels of administrative and technical management, leadership and coaching shall be recognised.