Sports clubs and Erasmus+: the funding route most clubs miss
Sports clubs are often surprised that Erasmus+ is open to them at all. Most coaches and chairs assume the scheme is for universities, schools and the odd big college. It isn't — and from the 2027 call, UK clubs that plan early can fund the kind of coach development and youth exchanges they used to fundraise hard for.
What sports clubs can actually apply for
Two routes matter most. The first is mobility of sport staff: coaches, other staff and volunteers spend 2 to 14 days job shadowing, or 7 to 45 days on a coaching or training assignment, at a club or sport organisation abroad, with up to 10 people in a project. The second is a small-scale partnership: a joint project with at least one organisation in another country, for example on grassroots sport, inclusion or healthy lifestyles. Young people travel through youth exchanges, which sit in the youth part of Erasmus+ rather than sport.
Sport staff mobility runs on the same per-participant unit costs as other Erasmus+ mobility: travel by distance band, subsistence per day and organisational support per participant. Small-scale partnerships are funded with a lump sum instead, of either €30,000 or €60,000. A constituted club sending two or three coaches abroad for a week of job shadowing is exactly the kind of project sport staff mobility is designed for.
Who counts as a "sports club"
You need to be a constituted organisation — that means a written constitution, a committee or board, and a bank account in the club's name. National-governing-body affiliation isn't required but is helpful evidence of credibility.
Strictly informal groups (a few mates running a Sunday league out of a pub WhatsApp) won't pass the eligibility check for sport projects. Established community clubs, youth sport organisations, and disability sport groups generally do.
Why most clubs miss it
There are usually three reasons. First, clubs assume the scheme is academic-only. Second, the application form is built for organisations rather than individuals, so a coach reading it on their phone tends to bounce off. Third, the partnership requirement — you need at least one credible overseas club or organisation to host or partner — feels harder than it actually is once you start asking.
For how the funding works in more detail, read what Erasmus+ funds, or book a 30-minute discovery call and we'll tell you, honestly, whether your club is a candidate for the 2027 call.