Mapping of innovative practices in the EU to promote sport outside of traditional structures (2021)

This study mapped 27 initiatives (one for each EU Member State) that promote sport and physical activity, capturing a range of key innovations and presenting several successful projects.

Using a combination of interviews, literature reviews and desktop research, the study identified three key practices that drive innovation outside of traditional sporting structures including:

1. Providing novelty in active spaces and through the use of technology.
2. Overcoming barriers such as lack of motivation and infrastructure.
3. Creating added-value like social cohesion and activity tailoring.

The report also provides policy recommendations to promote sport and physical activity even further. Sports bodies and public authorities seeking to promote non-traditional sports may find it useful to adopt:

• Needs and barriers analysis, as a key element to successful initiatives.
• Robust partnerships, including cross-sectoral and international.
• Innovation in active spaces, based on the concept of reusability and flexibility.
• New technologies to support and benefit sport practices.

Overall, the study finds that innovative sport practices emerge with the implementation of a novelty element to overcome barriers. Done within a well-defined strategy, this approach creates value beyond the benefits of being physically active. The report concludes that “One size does not fit all” and a mix of factors connected to the community promotes sport practice for everybody.

Good practices from: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.