International and European Sport Organisations Activate Citizens
▶Summary
Background According to studies from the WHO, UNESCO as well as the European Union, levels of participation in sports and physical activity are decreasing, and there is increased urgency to reverse the trend and take action to alleviate the consequences of physical inactivity. INTERACT (initially called IESOAC) identified and attracted International and European Sport Organisations (ISOs) as a new crop to join the Sport for All Movement and positioned/empowered them as key leaders and change-makers. Objectives The INTERACT project aimed to initiate the development of a new sport delivery framework where ISOs become more than the governing bodies of their sport but also play a leading role in the promotion of grassroots sport and physical activity. It provided ISOs with tailored tools and services to develop their Sport for All policies, strategies, structures and practical activities. Other objectives included increased ISOs contribution to EU policy papers, increased services to their members, etc. Implementation The project was implemented through 5 work packages, 7 multiplier sports events, 11 transnational project meetings, consultation workshops and benchmarking exercises, organised by the 9 project partners supported by 13 test group members to develop the project’s 7 outputs. A global outreach strategy and communications/dissemination campaigns were implemented, and the INTERACT outputs online platform developed. Achievements INTERACT produced 7 intellectual outputs: the (1) INTERACT Directory of International and European Sport Organisations – which identified and allowed to reach out to 487 ISOs, (2) INTERACT Pledge to activate citizens – already signed by 26 ISOs, (3) Study and Report on ISOs Challenges, Opportunities, Needs & Expectations, (4) INTERACT Collection of 32 Good Practices, (5) INTERACT Toolkit – an interactive & online tool, (6) INTERACT Capacity-Building Framework, and (7) INTERACT Festival.