As esports grows in popularity, its influence extends beyond professional leagues and mainstream entertainment. Grassroots esports is emerging as a significant tool for community engagement, youth development, and local economic growth. The recommendations developed by the European Grassroots Esports project, titled Grassroots Esports Recommendations, aims to guide various stakeholders in harnessing the potential of this rapidly expanding field. These stakeholders include municipalities, sports clubs, governmental institutions, educational sectors, and the commercial industry. Let’s get deeper into the key insights and recommendations for each sector.

The Rise of Grassroots Esports
Grassroots esports is fundamentally different from professional esports. While professional esports focus on elite competition and commercial profitability, grassroots esports emphasise community, inclusivity, and personal development. It is community-driven and designed to be accessible to amateur players, especially younger generations. The policy recommendations document outlines how grassroots esports can promote valuable life skills like teamwork, strategic thinking, and digital literacy while encouraging a balance between digital and physical activities.

Policy Recommendations by Stakeholder Groups

1. Municipalities are encouraged to invest in esports infrastructure, such as gaming facilities and internet cafes, to engage younger residents and foster local economic growth. By promoting grassroots esports, municipalities can create safe and structured environments for youth, helping them develop essential skills such as problem-solving and teamwork. The recommendations stress that esports can also bridge generational gaps, providing a platform for interaction between younger and older residents.
2. Local Sports Clubs can benefit from integrating esports into their traditional offerings. Doing so can attract new members, particularly those not interested in traditional sports. Grassroots esports can increase sponsorship opportunities and media exposure, diversifying the club's activities. This approach is seen to reach tech-savvy younger generations and engage individuals who may have never been part of a traditional sports club before. The Nordic experience, highlighted in the recommendations, serves as an example of successfully combining grassroots esports with traditional sports clubs.
3. Governmental Organisations: The government’s role is framed as one of strategic investment. By funding esports initiatives, governments can foster innovation, drive economic growth, and provide youth with the skills needed for the modern job market. Governmental support also ensures that grassroots esports is inclusive and adheres to safety standards, thereby contributing to social cohesion and promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.
4. Educational Institutions: Esports is not just about gaming—it is a tool for educational enhancement. Schools and universities are encouraged to integrate esports into their curriculums, providing students with opportunities to develop essential skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Moreover, esports can open career pathways for students in the growing esports industry. Schools are advised to take advantage of existing resources, such as gaming rooms or screens for live events, to make esports a core part of student activities.
5. Commercial Sector has a significant opportunity in grassroots esports. Companies can engage with this demographic by sponsoring events, providing equipment, and developing partnerships with esports organisers. These actions foster community spirit and offer businesses a way to connect with a younger, tech-savvy audience. Grassroots esports provides the potential for revenue generation through sponsorships, merchandise, and event-based marketing.

Developing Partnerships and Event Organisation

One of the document's key sections is a guide to developing successful partnerships and organising esports events. For beginners in event organisation, the recommendations cover everything from choosing a suitable location with proper technical infrastructure to promoting the event effectively. The emphasis is on fostering community participation and providing participants with structured environments. The document encourages organisers to solicit post-event feedback to improve future initiatives.

The Importance of Engagement

The overarching message of the recommendations is clear: grassroots esports offer a unique opportunity for various sectors to engage meaningfully with younger generations. It represents a third way between commercial esports and casual gaming, focusing on community building and personal development. For the grassroots sports sector, this presents a chance to connect individual gamers with local clubs and foster value-based social interactions.
Grassroots esports is not just about creating competitive environments; it is about harnessing the power of gaming to foster skills, build connections, and promote well-being in a digital age. Through structured support and stakeholder collaboration, grassroots esports can serve as a force for social good, community cohesion, and economic growth.

The document provides a comprehensive roadmap for any stakeholder navigating the evolving esports landscape. By following these recommendations, municipalities, sports clubs, governments, schools, and businesses can ensure that grassroots esports remain a positive and sustainable force in society.

 

To access the full policy recommendation document, please click here!

To access the infographic, please click here!