PRESS RELEASE

In response to the statements made in a video posted on September 29, 2026, by Dr. Viktória Lőrincz, Minister of Rural Development and Municipal Affairs, Veszprém-Balaton 2023 Jsc. issues the following statement.

We firmly reject the baseless suspicions and accusations. Our company, which is owned by three municipalities and four civil organizations, symbolizing the cooperation of the Bakony-Balaton region, implements major programs that have earned international recognition as European Union programs, both for their execution and their transparency. We are therefore deeply dismayed by the Minister's accusations that the Veszprém-Balaton European Region of Sport 2026 program and the participating municipalities, civil organizations, hospitals, schools, and sports clubs may be involved in misappropriation of funds and budget fraud.

ACES Europe, the organization that awards the European Region of Sport title, evaluated our application with an exceptionally high score, on the basis of which we were awarded the title for 2026 in the summer of 2025. In every country, the implementation of the program is funded by the government in office, which also requires full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. This was also the case here, in accordance with Government Decree No. 1380/2025 (October 20).

It is particularly important to highlight the remarkable and exemplary cooperation of 92 municipalities in the successful implementation of the Veszprém-Balaton European Region of Sport 2026 program. Through this cooperation, hundreds of civil organizations and sports clubs are organizing a wide range of physical activity programs to promote health and well-being. To date, tens of thousands of people have participated in these activities and events, all with the aim of helping residents of the region lead healthier, more active, and more conscious lives.

We consider it particularly important to note that, from the total funding available under the referenced source, we have so far allocated nearly HUF 331 million to ensure that residents of smaller municipalities have access to regular physical activity throughout the year. We have allocated HUF 200 million to major sports motivation programs for residents of the district centers participating in the initiative, and a further HUF 80 million will be provided to promote winter sports and physical activities.

Nearly HUF 562 million has been allocated to sporting events organized by schools, sports clubs, and civil organizations to encourage healthy lifestyles and regular physical activity. These include major initiatives such as Monspart Sarolta Foundation for Healthy Living, which promotes the MOSA walking movement, and the Veszprém-Balaton European Region of Sport 2026 Dragon Boat Cup, which has grown into a sports festival for public-sector employees.

We have also placed particular emphasis on supporting access to physical activity programs and promoting the integration of people with disabilities and special needs. A total of HUF 165 million has been allocated for this purpose.

As part of this funding scheme, five cardio trails are being established across the region. Funding has also been awarded to, among others, Barbara Börzsei Complex Early Intervention and Child Motor Development Center of the Catholic Charity Service; the State Heart Hospital in Balatonfüred; Csolnoky Ferenc Hospital of Veszprém County; and the Solution for Safety Foundation, which organizes physical activity programs for disadvantaged young people and young adults living in the Kisperjés area of Somogyszentpál.

Successful applicants in this same area also included Veszprém Police Sports Club, Kozmutza Flóra Foundation for Children with Intellectual Disabilities, Éltes Mátyás Foundation, and the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service.

The program also includes free health screenings for residents, major sporting events and sports motivation programs, exhibitions, and professional conferences.

The grant applications were announced through public calls for proposals. Applicants were supported in aligning their projects with the program's objectives through a set of professional questions established and published in advance. The effectiveness of the grant system is also demonstrated by the fact that 366 applications were submitted, of which 242 applicants from across the region received funding, taking into account the available budget.

In light of all the above, we reject any suggestion that misappropriation of funds or budget fraud occurred at any stage of the program's preparation or implementation.

All information necessary to ensure the transparency of the project is available through the official channels of the Veszprém-Balaton European Region of Sport 2026 program, including its website and social media platforms.

We trust that the values, goals, and aspirations represented by this program will not become tools in political disputes.

Veszprém, September 30, 2026

Veszprém-Balaton 2023 Jsc.