By the Young for the Young: EYOF 2021 to foster inclusion and physical activity

Background On 20-25 March 2022, the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival was held in Finland and Vuokatti, attended by more than 1,500 people from 46 different European countries. The main purpose of this Erasmus project was to increase the social inclusion, internationalization, and the physical activity for children and young people in Kainuu by taking the whole advantage of a major, unique international sports event EYOF2022 Vuokatti, which was significant for the Kainuu region. Objectives According to studies, there is more physical inactivity, and the morbidity is higher in children and young people in the Kainuu region than the average for the rest of Finland. There are also big risks for marginalisation, so the social inclusion of children and young people must be developed. The aim of this project was to prevent these factors in Kainuu using EYOF as an inspiration, and to empowerment and to attract as many young people as possible to participate in the volunteering of EYOF. Implementation For increasing the involvement of young, educational co-operation was developed with all educational institutions in Kainuu. International Media Camp, International Sport Students Winter School, and International Programme for Young Coaches were held for promoting internationalization. Municipality tour was held in all municipalities of Kainuu for increasing physical activity and the transport for all 5-6th graders in Kainuu to watch EYOF event was arranged for promoting social inclusion. Achievements Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, all the activities of the project could be organized. More than 500 young under age 25 took part in volunteering and international activities participated 140 people. The municipality tour gathered a total of 4,615 people, and over 92% of the age group of Kainuu 1-9th graders were reached with tour. 99,2 % of the age group of 5-6th grades watched EYOF. Based on the feedback surveys all activities were major successful and the objectives were achieved excellent.