The SESE project might be the answer!
Lack of local facilities and opportunities, public authorities’ insufficient application, and unequal financing of sports are some causes of physical inactivity in the EU. SESE project is facing the problem through cooperation between regions in Europe.
Standing to the fifth EC Eurobarometer survey dedicated to sport and physical activity, up to 45% of Europeans currently never exercise or partake in physical activity. This happens because, the survey says, people do get not enough time in their life, followed by a lack of motivation, or no interest in sports. Another fundamental factor though is the services, opportunities and facilities that are available in a given geographical area. If the latter is devoid of means and resources to involve people in sports practice and physical activity, there won’t be a successful engagement with inhabitants.
In this regard, European regions have an important role to play in getting people to be more physically active. But the question arises – how can they do that? An EU-funded Erasmus+ project might have the answer. The SESE project brought the best sports innovators in the local context in the Azores archipelago for their second Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) on the 8th of June 2023 in San Miguel Island, immediately after the EPSI’s Annual Conference 2023,
The SESE project aims to promote excellence in sports by fostering cross-sectorial cooperation in different regions all across the EU and, as part of the project, Azores Islands are one of these.
During the meeting, participants identified a pressing issue within the sports sector — the insufficient application and financing of sports by public authorities. They also highlighted the need for a more equitable distribution of funds across the sports sector. To address this concern, the meeting explored potential solutions, such as tools for valorisation like the label of European Regions/ City/ Community of Sport. Such labels can raise social awareness about the importance of sports and encourage greater investment in the field.
Sports funding and sports employment across different regions were also hot topics that engaged partners in fruitful discussions. In this regard, partners showcase best practices from their respective countries and it was agreed that the project should evaluate the transferability of these successful practices to other regions, maximising their potential impact and fostering collaboration in pursuit of excellence in sports across Europe.
The second TPM of the SESE project concluded with a clear focus on the next steps. Partners will evaluate pursuing a twinning programme for knowledge exchange and collaboration, while also committing to the creation of an e-book that will compile project insights. With these initiatives, the SESE project is creating the groundwork for a more supportive and integrated sports environment in different European regions.
About the SESE Project
SESE is an Erasmus+ project co-funded by the European Union that aims to enhance transnational cooperation, empowering public and private stakeholders to navigate challenging sports environments. Its mission includes promoting the concept of Excellence in sports from a cross-sectorial perspective, fostering joint strategies with other interest groups, and expanding sports into new domains like health, labour, family, and combating the risk of social exclusion.