As part of the ACTIVYOU project, supported by the Erasmus+ Sport Programme, the Czech Youth Association collaborated over an 18-month period with partners from Spain, Serbia, and the Czech Republic to promote healthier lifestyles and increased physical activity among young people across Europe.
A significant milestone was reached during the final transnational meeting held in Přerov, Czech Republic, on July 9–10, 2025. This closing event provided a valuable opportunity to assess the project’s progress, share individual contributions, and review all outputs—including physical education workshops, awareness campaigns, surveys, and video materials created with and for young people. Encouragingly, many adolescents reported adopting new routines involving sports and fitness apps, reflecting the project’s positive influence on behavior.
In addition to evaluating what has been accomplished, the meeting focused on planning next steps for broader impact and improved outreach. The two days in Přerov were marked by presentations, collaborative planning, and open discussions that helped strengthen the project’s long-term vision.
An earlier project coordination meeting took place in Šabac, Serbia, from September 4–7, 2024, where partners presented mid-term results and defined a timeline for the development of remaining outputs. These regular in-person exchanges were essential to maintaining a collaborative and focused approach throughout the project lifecycle.
The ACTIVYOU project was initiated in response to growing concern over sedentary lifestyles among youth, highlighted by the 2022 Eurobarometer, which reported that 45% of adolescents in Europe do not engage in regular physical activity. The problem was further intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which many young people stopped exercising altogether.
In line with the EU’s HealthyLifestyle4All campaign and WHO recommendations, the project targeted key settings in a young person’s life—schools, families, and community organizations—to foster inclusive and sustainable physical activity.
Key outcomes of the project include:
- Development and piloting of 20 inclusive school-based physical activities, aimed at increasing daily physical engagement for students aged 12–15.
- Implementation of a cross-country research plan involving 300 adolescents to examine physical fitness levels, screen time, and alignment with international health benchmarks.
- Launch of the “Kilometers Challenge”, a family-focused initiative designed to reduce sedentary behavior across generations by encouraging walking, cycling, and other everyday movement.
- Creation of a replicable annual activity plan to support consistent implementation of physical activities in formal education environments.
- Establishment of a European HEPA Support Program, in collaboration with 18 municipalities, which delivered local-level policy recommendations and compiled best practices for inclusive youth sports and health promotion.
- A comprehensive communication strategy, including a dedicated website, social media outreach, and engaging visual content, to disseminate project results and raise public awareness.
ACTIVYOU also placed strong emphasis on promoting gender equality in sports, aiming to address the persistent participation gap between boys and girls. At the same time, the project acknowledged and addressed the link between physical activity and mental well-being, with efforts to improve emotional balance and resilience among adolescents.
The Czech Youth Association, in partnership with INNODXT Association (Spain), Nikolaj Velimirovic School (Serbia), and Liceo Scientifico Sportivo Galilei (Italy), is proud to have contributed to this comprehensive effort. The knowledge, tools, and partnerships developed through ACTIVYOU are expected to benefit youth and local communities well beyond the project’s official end date.
