European Week of Sport, national activities: European School Sport Day celebrates 10th anniversary
This year, the Erasmus+ Sport project European School Sport Day marks its 10th anniversary, uniting around 40 countries in Europe and beyond to inspire children and young people to #BeActive and celebrate the power of sport and physical activity.
The European Week of Sport entails a wealth of activities, organised by National Coordinating Bodies and partners.
One example is the European School Sport Day (ESSD), a project funded under Erasmus+ Sport, which evolved into one of the largest pan-European #BeActive events of the European Week of Sport.
The project first started in 2015 in three countries. It has grown into a continent-wide event, embracing diverse cultures and traditions. In 2023, 2.6 million participants from 10,876 schools in 41 countries participated in this initiative. The 2024 edition will take place on 27 September.
The overarching objective is using the power of sport and physical activity as a key tool to enhance healthy lifestyles and skills development of school children.
The yearly focus topics of ESSD are echoing the priorities of European policies in sport, health and education, turning policy-priorities into action in schools.
Promoting sport and physical activity at school is a key topic of the recently adopted EU Work Plan for Sport 2024-2027, as well as strengthening the role of sport in the education system and the society.