Historical Background and Institutional Mission

Origins and Context

The European Fair Play Movement (EFPM) was established in response to growing concerns during the second half of the 20th century regarding ethical challenges in sport, including violence, doping, corruption, discrimination, and the erosion of sporting values. These concerns prompted European sports stakeholders to seek a structured and coordinated approach to the promotion of ethical conduct in sport.

The foundations of EFPM are closely linked to the work of the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP), created in 1963 under the auspices of UNESCO, which laid the groundwork for the global recognition of fair play as a core educational and moral principle in sport.

Foundation

The European Fair Play Movement was officially founded in 1994 as a non-profit organization. Its creation aimed to bring together national fair play committees and like-minded institutions across Europe within a common framework, ensuring coherence, cooperation, and visibility at the European level.

Mission and Objectives

The mission of the European Fair Play Movement is to promote, protect, and strengthen the values of fair play in sport and in society. EFPM views fair play not merely as respect for the rules, but as a fundamental ethical attitude encompassing respect, integrity, solidarity, and responsibility.

Its main objectives are:

• To encourage ethical behavior at all levels of sport, from grassroots to elite competition.
• To support education through sport, particularly among young people.
• To combat all forms of misconduct, including doping, match-fixing, violence, racism, and discrimination.
• To cooperate with European and international institutions committed to ethics and integrity in sport.

Fields of Action

EFPM operates across multiple domains:

• Sporting practice: promoting fair play among athletes, coaches, referees, and officials.
• Education: developing educational tools and awareness initiatives in schools and youth sport.
• Institutional cooperation: working with sports federations, National Olympic Committees, universities, and public authorities.
• Recognition and visibility: highlighting exemplary behavior through awards and public acknowledgment.

European Fair Play Awards

One of the flagship activities of EFPM is the organization of the European Fair Play Awards, which recognize individuals, teams, and institutions whose actions exemplify outstanding commitment to fair play and ethical conduct. These awards serve as both recognition and inspiration throughout the European sporting community.

Values and Vision

The European Fair Play Movement is guided by the conviction that sport is a powerful educational and social tool. Fair play is regarded as a universal value that transcends sport, contributing to social cohesion, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.

EFPM aligns its work with the principles of the Olympic Movement, the Council of Europe, and UNESCO, reinforcing the role of sport in promoting human dignity and democratic values.

Conclusion

Since its foundation, the European Fair Play Movement has played a key role in consolidating fair play as a central pillar of European sport. By fostering cooperation, education, and recognition, EFPM continues to address contemporary ethical challenges and to promote sport as a force for positive societal impact.