Active Twinning for Enhancing Physical Activity in Rural Areas

Background The A-TWIN project is an innovative proposal of extending the municipalities' twinning from cultural aspects to physical activity and sport promotion. It had as partners three twinned municipalities from Spain (Zuera), France (Ramonville) and Italy (Trescore Balneario) added to a research centre (Fundacion Universidad San Jorge-Spain- as coordinator) and an outdoor activities sport club to implement the pilot experience (Boira Mountain Club, Spain). Unfortunately, the COVID-19 affected too much. Objectives 1.- To increase physical activity participation in open areas in municipalities with a lower population of 20.000 inhabitants (rural areas) through linking the physical activity with culture and environment.2.- To promote the setting of the population to the territory increasing the life quality of their citizens.3.- Closer ties between the twinned villages as a part of the local culture, adding the physical sports activities as part of the European and local culture and increasing knowledge. Implementation As face-to-face meetings were impossible (due to COVID-19) all meetings and communications between partners were by videoconference, e-mail, and phone. Implementation methodology was: 1) a needs analysis with the three municipalities; 2) a sport participation survey in Zuera (Spain) and Trescore (Italy); 3) design of routes (cultural, environmental), maps and signposting; 4) Placement of materials; 5) Physical Activities Programme design and implementation (pilot experience); 6) Evaluation. Achievements - Needs Analysis Report- Infographics in four languages of the spaces and outdoor sport facilities.- Sport participation surveys in Zuera (Spain) and Trescore (Italy). - Routes' maps, guides and posters to to mark routes and guide users.- Pilot activities programme with guided activities: orienteering, nordik walking, MTB, climbing, trail running plus suspension training. - Workshop with the Aragonese Government (Sport and Youth Departments).- Scientific article (Q1 in JCR index).- Mural