The #BEACTIVE DAY final dissemination event, held on Thursday 4 December as part of EuropeActive’s Exercise for Health 2025 (EfH)- kindly hosted by MEP Nina Carberry at the European Parliament before continuing the afternoon programme at the Stanhope Hotel; marked a milestone in the campaign’s history by celebrating its most successful edition to date and by reaching new audiences through an innovative format.
For its fifth edition, the conference- traditionally organised as a stand-alone dissemination event, was integrated into the Exercise for Health event. This strategic choice reflected the campaign’s increasing focus on health and the growing recognition of physical activity as a public health priority. The combined format elevated the profile of #BEACTIVE DAY, strengthened its positioning within EU health and policy discussions, and maximised cross-sectoral impact.
Coordinated by EuropeActive and its network of national associations, #BEACTIVE DAY encourages people of all ages and abilities to be active through thousands of free, inclusive events organised each year during the European Week of Sport. Hosting the final dissemination event within Exercise for Health enabled these grassroots achievements to be showcased directly to EU policymakers and public health leaders, significantly expanding the campaign’s reach.
The merged event created a clear win-win outcome, offering #BEACTIVE DAY greater visibility, a high-level institutional setting, and the support of European Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef, while enriching the EfH event with concrete examples of how physical activity initiatives are implemented across Europe. In this context, #BEACTIVE DAY was presented as a flagship good practice, demonstrating how policy objectives translate into tangible impact at community level.
Record Results Unveiled
Building on this, Anna Harvan (Campaign Manager), delivered a moving presentation unveiling the 2025 campaign results, officially presented through the newly launched campaign brochure. The figures mark the highest impact achieved since the campaign began:
- 22 participating countries
- 25 778 events organised
- 829 707 participants
- 13,6 million communication reach
“These results show the incredible commitment of our national associations and local organisers, and the growing recognition of physical activity as a cornerstone of public health” Anna Harvan highlighted during her speech.
Exercise for Health at the Heart of the Campaign
The 2025 campaign placed a strong emphasis on Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA), the role of exercise in supporting better health outcomes, and the inclusion of people living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Anna Harvan showcased powerful examples of inclusion through physical activity from across participating countries, illustrating how #BEACTIVE DAY events successfully engaged:
- People with disabilities through adapted exercise sessions,
- Youth and elderly participants in intergenerational activities,
- And, individuals living with cancer and other NCDs through tailored, supportive programmes.
These initiatives demonstrated how inclusive physical activity can be delivered in diverse settings, from fitness centres and schools to parks, workplaces, and public spaces.
Building Capacity Through Inclusion Resources
The conference further highlighted the Inclusion Guides developed as part of the #BEACTIVE DAY projects since 2022. These practical resources support organisers in creating welcoming and accessible activities and cover key themes such as:
- Inclusion of women and girls
- Intergenerational inclusion
- Accessibility and environmental sustainability
- HEPA with a specific focus on people living with NCDs
These guides continue to empower national associations and local organisers to deliver high-quality, inclusive events that respond to community needs.
A Strong Alignment with Exercise for Health
The #BEACTIVE DAY conference aligned perfectly with the overarching theme of Exercise for Health. Throughout the day, speakers reinforced the message that “exercise is medicine,” underlining the vital role of physical activity in prevention, treatment, and quality of life.
Several key themes emerged during the conference: the rising impact of non-communicable diseases, the need to shift from treatment to prevention, the potential of innovation to support healthier behaviours, and the importance of closer cooperation between policymakers, healthcare providers, and the fitness and physical activity sector.
A clear takeaway from the day was that exercise remains one of Europe’s most effective, yet underutilised tools for prevention, and meaningful progress will depend on sustained collaboration across sectors.
Looking Ahead
Momentum continued the following day during the EFAF meeting, where national associations shared feedback on the 2025 campaign and engaged in brainstorming discussions for 2026.
Stay tuned for more updates as preparations begin for the next edition of #BEACTIVE DAY, continuing to build a healthier, more active, and more inclusive Europe.
