Brussels, 03/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - Since its official launch in Dublin in January 2004, the European Year of Education through sport (EYES) has elicited widespread involvement by schools, sports clubs, federations and public organisations in the 28 participating countries. The Commission has made a very positive assessment of the year. It notes that some 200 projects - out of over 1 500 applications received under the call for proposals - will have received support from the European Commission. After the closing ceremony at the Papendal Sports Centre in the Netherlands on 2 December, Commissioner Ján Figel said: “Events-wise, 2004 has been an exceptional year for sport in Europe. The European Year will have carried the message of fair play, tolerance and team spirit to thousands of young people”. Summing up, he said: “I hope the inclusion of a reference to sport in the Constitutional Treaty will enable us to continue with actions of this type”. A busy schedule was prepared for the closing conference, with various sports ministers discussing the impact of the EYES in their countries.
In the second half of 2005, the European Commission will take stock of the Year and co-funded projects and draw up guidelines for EU sports initiatives in the future.