European sport systems and the voluntary sector : Non-profit organisations’ race for sport development

Sport is the largest social and voluntary activity in Europe. Sport and recreation volunteerism are among the largest simple categories of benevolent work: any other form of volunteerism involves fewer volunteers than sport and recreation. Sport plays an important role in bringing together people from different backgrounds, helping to develop a sense of belonging hard to reach elsewhere. In the 21st century, European societies are permanently facing challenges to remain inclusive and to renew their welfare model. Volunteering in sport, as an engagement in society, may support social integration, it can contribute to active citizenship and can be used to tackle social exclusion. Volunteering in sport contributes to the production of a stronger sense of belonging to society for its more vulnerable members. This can help to promote a real active citizenship. It can reach people at international, national, regional and local levels. It can also be a powerful social tool in many areas of public and social policies, being used to help the increasing migrant population to integrate, to fight against social exclusion as well as to contribute to gender equality. It plays an important role in creating social cohesion and inclusive communities. Local authorities, in co-operation with sport clubs, associations and other entities play a crucial role in the creation of such forms of social integration.