Question for written answer E-004020/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikos Pappas (The Left)

Thousands of minors are held in detention centres across the European Union, with significant variations in conditions and educational opportunities. Despite Article 24 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Council of Europe recommendations (e.g. Recommendation CM/Rec(2003)20), access to systematic sports programmes remains limited. Pilot projects such as ActiveGames4Change demonstrate that sport enhances mental health, develops social skills and contributes to the prevention of reoffending.

Furthermore, Regulation (EU) 2021/817 on Erasmus+ recognises the role of sport in social inclusion, while the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child and the 'Justice' Programme (2021-2027) provide for measures for child-friendly justice.

In this context:

• 1.Does the Commission intend, on the basis of Article 24 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Regulation 2021/817 on Erasmus+, to launch new calls for funding or extensions of calls for funding for rehabilitative sports activities in all juvenile detention facilities?
• 2.Does the Commission plan to draw up a European guide to good practices, based on the Council of Europe recommendations, on the use of sport in the education and reintegration of juvenile detainees?
• 3.Does the Commission intend to establish common monitoring indicators to assess the contribution of sport to children's rights and social reintegration in the EU?

Submitted: 14.10.2025