With more than 130 members in 30 countries, the European Football for Development Network (EFDN) can count on a wide community to generate success with the European Week of Sport 2021.

Using the social power of football and their members’ brands, the EFDN will encourage people from different social backgrounds, fitness levels and age groups to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle. And they have many health programmes and sport activities planned.

Football community awareness

The #BeActive campaign and the European Week of Sport in an opportunity for EFDN to increase awareness in the football community of the importance of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle for people of all ages.

This is reflected in the projects they have chosen to develop, such as training sessions and matches for people over the age of 50 during the EFDN Walking Football League. This focus is also expressed through the Scoring for Health initiative, under which the EFDN’s network members will be arranging weekly interactive classes, learning sessions and workshops in schools.

Topics such as nutrition, cooking and physical activity will be discussed and football sessions as will be promoted throughout September for children aged 7 to 14. Fun #BeActive plans for both juniors and seniors!

Scoring health points

During the European Week of Sport, the EFDN will also encourage participants of the Healthy Football League, an app-based health competition, to perform additional activities in order to earn extra points for their favourite club through walking, running or cycling.

Fans can compete against fans from other clubs by being active.

The Community Champions League, a street football competition starting in August, follows a similar logic, as teams can actually score more points through Fair Play and voluntary neighbourhood contributions than just football games.

As for the #BeActive Night, the EFDN are planning a #BeActiveMatchDay which will highlight the extra points system of the Healthy Football League with the goal of getting as many fans as possible to walk or cycle to the stadium where their club’s match is taking place. This, we can’t wait to see!

Social media reach

Every day during the European Week of Sport, the EFDN will share photos, videos and articles with the #BeActive hashtag on their communication channels. Together with the EFDN members’ social media channels and their own, they hope to reach more than 1 million people with news of best practices. With the many interesting activities prepared by the EFDN, the #BeActive message is sure to reach its destination.

Keep in touch

For further inspiration and motivation, make sure to follow the European Football for Development Network

• on Twitter
• on Facebook
• on Instagram
• on Linkedin
• or follow the link to the EFDN website