Organisation
ENGSO is the European Sports NGO and the leading voice for voluntary-based grassroots sport in Europe. Together with our 38 members – National Sports Confederations, National Olympic Committees and other sports organisations from 34 European countries – we form a network that brings together people of different ages and backgrounds that share a passion for sport.
Kaisa Larjomaa, ENGSO Secretary General
Stefan Bergh, ENGSO President
Vision 2023
Grassroots sport for stronger communities
Mission statement
To represent, develop and advocate for voluntary-based sport in Europe
Our values
Democracy, equality, inclusion, sustainability, integrity and education
ENGSO is fulfilling its vision and mission through three areas:
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ENGSO advocates for European policy that enables a thriving civil society of sport and the modernisation of the sports movement
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ENGSO is a platform for developing and exchanging ideas that enhance the importance of grassroots sport
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ENGSO’s organisation, finances and brand fully support our vision and mission
History
21 MAY 1966 When governments had started to deliberate on sports matters in the Council of Europe, the informal NGO Club, as a discussion forum, was set up in order to join forces and define common sport political positions.
24-25 APRIL 1990 After the political changes in Eastern and Central Europe, membership increased and the NGO Club became a true Pan-European sports organisation. Hence it was felt necessary to change the name to European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO).
1-2 OCTOBER 1990 The first meeting under the name ENGSO.
27-28 APRIL 1995 ENGSO was formalised by adopting official statutes, which included the holding of General Assemblies and the election of an Executive Committee. In this way, ENGSO not only became a bridge building organisation for East-West cooperation in sports, but it also strengthened its status as a partner for the defence of the general sport interest at European level, especially vis—vis European institutions, such as the Council of Europe and the political and administrative bodies of the European Union.
22-23 SEPTEMBER 1995 The 1st ENGSO General Assembly in Vienna, Austria.
28 JUNE 2006 ENGSO has been registered within the National Olympic and Sports Committee of France in the House of Olympic Sports, Paris, France. This decision has become legally valid following the Declaration of Association, issued by the Prefecture of Paris on June 28, 2006.
30 APRIL 2015 The headquarters and registered office of ENGSO has been transferred to Stockholm, Sweden, within the Swedish House of Sports.
Statutes
The rules of our organisation are presented in ENGSO Statutes.
Continue exploring
Get to know the structure of our organisation and meet the members who stand behind all the achievements of ENGSO.