Sports and cultural events are an important part of daily life in many local communities across Europe. However, these events can also have a significant environmental impact from single-use plastic waste, high energy consumption, food waste, and carbon emissions from logistics.

Although many event organizers want to adopt more sustainable practices, few are willing to be the first to change due to lack of experience, or simply because more sustainable options could be more expensive. As a result, sustainable change often happens slowly and unevenly.

To address this, I propose the creation of an EU Green Fund for sports and cultural events. This fund would provide financial support and practical guidance for organizers who commit to making their events more environmentally responsible. Support could cover actions like switching to reusable materials, using renewable energy and minimizing waste.

The fund would be open to a wide range of event types and sizes, with a focus on accessibility. Priority could be given to first-time applicants. Simple application procedures and clear requirements would ensure that even small organizations could participate.

By making sustainability a visible and achievable part of everyday public life, this initiative would directly support the EU’s climate and environmental goals. At the same time, it would encourage innovation and create sustainable opportunities.