European School Sport Day 2021 - From school space to MOVEment space

Background European School Sport Day® (ESSD) is a pan-European initiative with the main objectives to promote sport and health enhancing physical activity (HEPA) at international level and involve as many children, schools, and organizations in PA programs as possible. By identifying different focus topics each year (grassroots festivals, volunteering, healthy nutrition, mental health and movement spaces in the past), ESSD aims to break down cultural barriers and contribute to social inclusion. Objectives While at previous editions, the above-mentioned topics were in the focus of the key messages by the organizers, ESSD2021 especially was aimed at exploring MOVEment Spaces at school settings. It emphasized changing the environment and finding answers for challenges in schools that lack appropriate infrastructure using existing equipment in a different, new way and to actively involve children by listening to children’s voice during the planning and organizing process. Implementation By reviewing school facilities, ESSD fostered students, teachers to reimagine school spaces as new and safe MOVEment spaces, not just for 1 day,but possibly for the long-run by creating more accessible in- and outdoor school areas to #BeActive. By this,ESSD played an important part in boosting children’s health, not only in PE but also during long school days. It can be vital in all European schools but can be crucial in less developed regions where schools may lack the necessary infrastructure. Achievements ESSD is organized annually since 2015, with continuously increasing number of participating countries and schools, reaching 2 million students in 41 countries in 2021, even despite the challenges raised by the COVID-19. In 2021, more than 10000 schools participated. ESSD was implemented again beyond Europe as well: in South America and Asia. The ESSD toolkit was revamped. Professional support was provided to all countries in the preparation of ESSD, with emphasis on national flagship events.