ENGSO has been a partner of the European Week of Sport since 2015
As a European umbrella organisation, ENGSO operates at the European level, ensuring that the message of the European Week of Sport is communicated across its membership and wider network of partners. It also organises specific events and conferences together with its partners and/or members to promote the #BeActive campaign.
ENGSO was a pioneer in taking part in these initiatives and, since signing the agreement with the European Commission in 2014, has been actively involved in dissemination and promotion efforts.
More than
300.000
people reached annual through communication and online activities
Support of the
39
ENGSO members: National Olympic Committees and National Sport Federations
Reaching
34
European countries through ENGSO membership
2024
Mental health, values and equal access to sport
- Sport as Value crossborder events, 950 children
- Study session on mental health and human rights, 20 youth participants
- Online seminar “Transforming Sports through Accessibility”, 30 participants
- 160000 people reached through online campaigns
In 2024, ENGSO Youth hosted a study session on mental health and human rights in Budapest, bringing together 20 young participants to explore the intersection of well-being and fundamental rights in sport.
As part of the Sport as Value project, ENGSO also launched a campaign promoting European values among children from Balkan countries, organising cross-border events that reached over 950 children.
In addition, the online seminar “Transforming Sports through Accessibility” engaged 30 participants in discussions on inclusion and equal access in sport.
2023
Sport integrity and youth
- The event was held in a hybrid mode and involved around 20 people in person. An additional 80 participants joined online.
ENGSO organised its annual event in partnership with long-standing collaborators European Lotteries and Panathlon International. Titled “Sport Integrity as an Accelerator for Inclusion and Involvement in Sport”, the event brought together YIAP ambassadors and other young professional athletes to promote youth participation in and through sport, advocating for a safe, clean, and inclusive sporting environment.
The BeActive message extended beyond physical activity, emphasising civic engagement and active citizenship. The event was delivered in a hybrid format, with around 20 participants attending in person and a further 80 joining online. The HealthyLifestyle4All Youth Ideas Labs were present and engaged throughout all activities.
2022
Youth Integrity Ambassadors
- Over 30 young volunteers and athletes had the opportunity to engage and create momentum within YIAP project.
ENGSO and The European Lotteries joined forces to empower youth as sport integrity ambassadors. On 29 September 2022, within the framework of the European Week of Sport, the two organisations officially launched the Erasmus+ co-funded Youth Integrity Ambassadors Programme (YIAP), united in their commitment to values-based sport and youth empowerment.
YIAP aimed to equip young people to become ambassadors for sport integrity within their communities, fostering local action, participation in sport, and a strong culture of integrity across the European grassroots sport sector. Over 30 young volunteers and athletes were actively involved, helping to build momentum and drive change within the European sport community.
ENGSO Youth team participated in the #HealthyLifestyle4All Youth Ideas Lab which was the highlight topic of this year’s Opening.
2021
Mental health and well-being
- 40 people joined the online seminar which was held within the framework of the Spirit project.
On 27 September, as part of the European Week of Sport, ENGSO and The European Lotteries jointly hosted a webinar titled “Sport, Mental Health and Well-being for #BeActive Citizens”.
The event emphasised the crucial role grassroots sport plays in supporting mental health and overall well-being. During the discussion, representatives shared inspiring best practices and initiatives implemented by their respective members at both national and local levels. These actions demonstrated how sport and physical activity can be powerful tools to promote positive mental health, foster social inclusion, and enhance the quality of life for communities across Europe. The webinar provided a valuable platform to exchange knowledge, highlight success stories, and encourage further collaboration to advance mental health through sport.
2020
The pandemic: stay active at home
- Through the online communication, we reached over 10.000 people.
The #BeActive campaign was actively promoted in the lead-up to the European Week of Sport, throughout the week itself, and afterwards to facilitate discussions on the outcomes and impact of the initiative.
In addition, the Stay #BeActive at Home communication campaign, led by ENGSO Youth, supported Europeans in maintaining physical activity despite the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic. Complementing these efforts, a dedicated campaign for the European Week of Sport encouraged support for local sport clubs under the slogans #BeActive and Stay in the Club! #SupportYourClub. These campaigns collectively aimed to inspire participation, strengthen community ties, and ensure that sport remains accessible and engaging for all, even during difficult times.
ENGSO Youth also hosted an online seminar titled “Is sport a human right”.
2019
I love sport because...
- Through the online communication, we reached over 8.000 people.
The #BeActive campaign was actively promoted at the launch of the European Week of Sport, throughout the week, and in the follow-up period to encourage reflection and discussion on the campaign’s results and impact. ENGSO and ENGSO Youth contributed to the #BeActive initiative with the “I Love Sport Because…” campaign, where committee members and staff shared personal stories about how they stay active. This initiative aimed to inspire and motivate other Europeans to incorporate regular physical activity into their daily lives.
ENGSO Youth officially launched the #ILoveSportBecause campaign during the European Week of Sport, further amplifying the message and encouraging widespread engagement across Europe.
ENGSO also actively participated in the conference on safeguarding children in sport, held in Finland. Our Secretary General, Kaisa Lairoma, represented the organisation, contributing to the important discussions on creating safer sporting environments for young people across Europe.
2018
Stay active in everyday settings
- More than 45 people attended the in person event.
- 10.000 were reached through communication.
The #BeActive campaign was actively promoted at the launch of the European Week of Sport, throughout the week, and afterwards to encourage reflection and discussion on the campaign’s outcomes. ENGSO and ENGSO Youth contributed to this effort by showcasing simple and enjoyable ways to stay active in everyday settings such as schools, universities, and workplaces, inspiring participants to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.
We also organised the Squat & Talk onsite event in Brussels.
2017
Young leaders as role models
- The event was attended by more than 50 people, including representatives from various high-level policy-making and sport organisations
- 8.000 were reached through communication.
The #BeActive campaign was actively promoted at the launch of the European Week of Sport, throughout the week, and in the follow-up period to encourage reflection and discussion on the campaign’s impact and results.
ENGSO Youth contributed by sharing ideas and recommendations on how the European Week of Sport could become even more effective in engaging young people across Europe. ENGSO Youth also shared practical tips and tricks for staying active in everyday life, helping individuals incorporate movement into their daily routines. To celebrate the International Day of University Sports and to build momentum ahead of the #BeActive week, ENGSO Youth organised special activities and outreach.
We also organised an event, together with The European Lotteries, titled “Grassroots sport as a tool for a social change”.
2016
Sport Unified
The #BeActive campaign was promoted before, during, and after the European Week of Sport to discuss results. ENGSO Youth encouraged Europeans to engage in physical activity and share how they stay active. They organised the session “Sport Unified: How Sport is a Tool for Inclusion and Diversity” and launched #BeActive Talks to connect with young athlete role models, celebrating the 2016 European Week of Sport.
On 7 September, ENGSO and The European Lotteries organised a hearing at the European Parliament titled “The Way Forward for Grassroots Sport in Europe,” hosted by MEP Hannu Takkula, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Sport Intergroup. The hearing focused on exploring how the recommendations adopted by the High-Level Group on Grassroots Sport could be effectively implemented at both national and local levels.
2015
The first European Week of Sport
As the first-ever European Week of Sport (EWoS), ENGSO and ENGSO Youth ensured extensive coverage of the vibrant activities that took place in Brussels, both within the Sport Villages and beyond. One of the highlights was the ENGSO Forum, organised in collaboration with ENGSO Youth, where we showcased the valuable impact of Erasmus+ on the sport sector. ENGSO Youth Committee members actively participated in the “Run4Employment,” a spirited 5km run through the heart of Brussels. Additionally, we had the opportunity to meet with Commissioner Tibor Navracsics to discuss the crucial role of grassroots sport in promoting education, empowerment, and broader societal benefits.
