In partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) held the 10th meeting of the network of National Physical Activity Focal Points.

Among the topics discussed were the recommendations from the World Health Organization on physical activity for health, cycling as an active mode of transport and the protection of minors from advertising of unhealthy foods.  Dialogue was supported by the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport DG MOVE) and the Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology DG CNECT).  

Since the Network’s first meeting in 2014, the group’s capacity to discuss lessons learned, challenges and concerns encountered has been vital in addressing  how to build on the WHO’s indicators, which include  initiatives supporting  sport for all.  The Network builds this capacity by identifying training and support, and by providing data to Member States, as well as national and international agencies.   In the context of the Council Recommendations on promoting health-enhancing physical activity [HEPA] across sectors, Member States have been requested to appoint EU national physical activity focal points, notably to support the framework to monitor HEPA policies and physical activity.

A joint meeting of the National Physical Activity Focal Points with The Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE),  The Directorate-General for Agriculture and rural development (DG AGRI) and Member States representatives  also took place on 19 June. The Member states had fruitful exchanges on how to enhance cross-sector cooperation at national level, and on the future Horizon Europe research programme.