Mr. Liam McGroarty:

Finland has piloted the first SOC. It is overseen by the Ministry of Education and Culture. Finland changed its law a few years ago and children must now stay in school until they are 18. It changed from 16 to 18. The change did not go down well with young people and they started to leave school en masse. Basketball, floorball and football were used to keep children in school longer and the sports get paid based on retention levels in schools. The other example being developed is in Romania. It will not be part of the EIB initiative, but the Romanian federation is undertaking one on well-being and health for women. Historically, women have been excluded from physical activity in Romania. A pilot is being undertaken to explore how to engage more women and girls in sport using a SOC.