Over 23–24 April, #BEACTIVE DAY 2025 project partners convened in Belgrade for the annual campaign workshop, reuniting representatives from Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Serbia, and Sweden.
After a warm welcome from our hosting national association, Serbian Association for Recreation and Fitness’ (SRFS) Secretary General Dragan Tomasevic, and from EuropeActive’s EU Affairs Manager Kiera Wason, Miloš Bunić presented SRFS outlining its main goals and activities. Prof. Dr. Milica Vukašinović Vesić (Director, Anti-Doping Agency of Serbia) then shared insights from a recent study conducted in collaboration with SRFS on the use of doping substances among recreational athletes in Serbia. The research revealed that 5–10% of respondents regularly use doping substances during exercise—an alarming trend that highlights a growing concern within the fitness sector.
The Belgrade workshop focused on this year’s campaign theme: the prevention and management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) through Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA). Key speakers from the University of Belgrade, Prof. Sanja Mažić and Dr. Duško Spasovski, explored the connection between physical activity and health, emphasising how exercise can be described as a “magic pill” in sight of optimal health. The presentations were rich in data, case studies and research, underscoring the need to integrate physical activity into daily life to improve the health of the European population. The message was clear: Exercise is medicine, and truly benefits everyone.
Building on this scientific foundation, partners engaged in collaborative discussions on how to bridge the gap between knowledge and implementation, with the goal of embedding the concept of "exercise is medicine" into practice—and integrating it into this year’s #BEACTIVE DAY campaign events.
The fifth edition of the campaign aims to:
- Strengthen collaborations with healthcare organisations to promote physical activity as a tool to prevent and manage NCDs,
- Address barriers to fitness and physical activity for people with NCDs and those at risk of those,
- Raise awareness about the impact of NCDs, which account for 90% of all deaths and 80% of the healthcare burden,
- And promote physical activity as a proven, recognised, and cost-effective solution in the fight against NCDs.
To support partners in achieving these goals, a HEPA Guide is being developed. This guide will draw on expert contributions and equip consortium members with the knowledge needed to design tailored physical activity programmes, ultimately helping to reduce the burden of NCDs on individuals and healthcare systems.
With the campaign now firmly established and most coordinators well-versed in its processes and timeline, there is a strong opportunity to use #BEACTIVE DAY as a platform for deepening partnerships with health stakeholders.
Partners also engaged in fruitful discussions on sustainability and eco-friendly event practices, while exploring strategies to elevate the #BEACTIVE DAY campaign through community-driven approaches, creativity, and strengthened collaboration.
A big thank you to our hosts, Miloš and Dragan, for offering the consortium a taste of Belgrade’s culinary delights and for enabling a club tour of Mega Gym.
