#BeActive EU Sport Awards: first ever finalists announced!
A total of 279 inspiring projects took part of in the first ever edition of the new awards.
The finalists for this year’s #BeActive EU Sport Awards are now known.
An expert jury selected 15 finalists to compete for the grand prize in five categories
Each winner will be awarded €15,000, while the remaining 10 finalists will receive €5,000.
The European Commission will announce winners and hand out the awards on 23 June 2026 in Brussels, Belgium.
Finalists of the #BeActive EU Sport Awards
Finalists by category and in alphabetical order by country name.
Physical activity
This category recognises initiatives that have successfully encouraged physical activity at all levels.
The finalists of this year’s edition are
- Sihtasutus Liikumisharrastuse Kompetentsikeskus, Estonia, installing “Ball Boxes” at public sports facilities and providing free sport equipment everyone can use spontaneously.
- Município de Oeiras, Portugal, promoting the regular practice of physical exercise for older adults with the “Fit Senior Programme”.
- Asociación Madrid Outdoor Education, Spain, proposing a solidarity-based “Skate School” for learning and improving physical skills through skateboarding.
Inclusion
This category celebrates sport activities that meet social challenges and successfully use sport as a powerful tool to promote social inclusion, gender equality, diversity and unity.
The finalists of this year’s edition are
- Département des Yvelines, France, the “Yvelines Parasport” programme raising awareness about disability through the practice of parasport disciplines.
- Centrul Şcolar pentru Educaţie Incluzivă “Sf. Vasile” Craiova, Romania, Breaking Barriers Through MOVEment which sees physical activity as a right and a tool for inclusion and empowerment, especially for children with disabilities.
- Planinska Zveza Slovenije, Slovenia, “inPlaninec” integrating people with disabilities and special needs into mountaineering and nature activities.
Volunteering
This category recognises sport activities initiated by organisations and/or individuals who have made outstanding contributions to sports through volunteering.
The finalists of this year’s edition are
- United Way Magyarország, Hungary, the “Flow & Learn Program" integrating sport and movement into education.
- Judo and sambo club Borac, Serbia, the “Borac Active Program” making elite combat sports and deep community service into one powerful force.
- Aktif Gençlik ve Spor Kulübü Derneği, Türkiye, the Healthy Lifestyle and Exercise Program (HLEP), promoting health and active living among women over 50.
Across generations
This category recognises sport activities run by organisations that have made a significant contribution to strengthening communities and promoting intergenerational sport activities.
The finalists of this year’s edition are
- Trkacki klub “Marathon 95” Varaždin, Croatia, the Drava Cross League, ensuring intergenerational connections/solidarity via running activities.
- Gruppo Sbandieratori delle Sette Contrade di Orte, Italy, Fostering Legacy Across Generations (FLAG), connecting generations through tradition, movement and shared experience.
- Zveza društev Diabetikov Slovenije, Slovenia, the initiative #DarujemKilometre (“I Donate Kilometres”), tackling diabetes prevention, awareness and stigma.
Peace
This category celebrates organisations that have successfully used sport as a powerful tool to promote peace and foster tolerance.
The finalists of this year’s edition are
- Fonds Wiener Institut für Internationalen Dialog und Zusammenarbeit, Austria, “Sport Zajedno”, fostering reconciliation, dialogue and participation in Western Balkans through sport events.
- In The Name Of Alkis, Greece, the “UNITE19” initiative, a sporting event connecting communities through sport against hate.
- Associazione Internazionale New Humanity, Italy, Run4Unity (R4U) empowering Europe’s teenagers to become active citizens of a more united world.
Congratulations to all the inspiring projects that have ignited our passion to #BeActive this year!
About the #BeActive EU Sport Awards
The #BeActive EU Sport Awards have been announced in 2025 and build on the success of the past #BeActive Awards and #BeInclusive EU Sport Awards celebrating outstanding commitments.
They aim to reward and give visibility to projects, initiatives, sport organisations and stakeholders successfully promoting inclusive participation in sport and physical activity and encourage people to stay active across Europe.
The objective of this competition is to present best practice initiatives and to introduce inspiring individuals in the field of sport in Europe.
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