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No equipment? No problem!

2023-3-MK01-KA152-YOU-0001794782023Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: MK|RO|BG|RS|EL|IT · Grant: €18,011
Physical and mental health, well-being

Objectives

According to a Eurobarometer study, published in September 2022, one in three European adults does not meet recommended physical activity levels. The survey showed that up to 45% never exercise or partake in physical activity. Less than 40% play sports or exercise at least once a week or more, while nearly 20% exercise less than once a week. Two and a half hours of moderate-intensity physical activity per week is the minimum level of physical activity recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for adults aged 18 or over. This inactivity contributes significantly to weight problems and obesity which are increasing at a rapid rate in most European countries, with estimates of 52.7% of the adult EU’s population being overweight in 2019. According to Eurostat and WHO, participating countries of North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece and Italy have the lowest rates in Europe for aerobic physical activity and muscle-strengthening exercises. Not surprisingly, the same countries are also at the top of the obesity list with the biggest share of overweight population. The project advocated for an integrated approach to address these issues, by motivating, educating and empowering youth to practice healthy lifestyles and put an important place of physical activity in their daily lives. Exercising regularly makes us look and feel better while reducing the risks for many chronic conditions. Physical activity boosts the immune system and mental sharpness, and helps to avoid anxiety, depression, obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart problems. When we see how many benefits regular physical activities bring, we must figure out how to make them attractive to young people. With this project we promoted continuous physical activity of young people and improved their well-being by focusing on learning and practicing the following elements: 1) body-weight exercises, 2) cardio exercises, 3) healthy nutrition and 4) relaxing techniques. The main aim of the project was to improve the physical and mental well-being of 37 young people and youth leaders from 6 European countries by empowering, educating and providing them with creative ideas on how they can practice, maintain and promote healthy lifestyles. In order to reach the main aim and to address the above-mentioned needs and issues, the project objectives were: - to explore different forms of maintaining health and well-being by practicing different body weight and cardio exercises, tasting healthy food from participating countries and trying different techniques for relaxation. - to promote the importance and benefits of healthy habits by guiding participants in finding their own ways to create them and providing them with motivation, practices and practical experiences. - to break the excuses of participants of not having enough time, options, finances, infrastructure or equipment to exercise by offering them with creative solutions for doing physical activities. - to promote and foster mutual understanding, cooperation, intercultural learning and exchange of competencies between young people from different cultures, backgrounds and regions by using experiential, non-formal and peer-to-peer learning. - to promote healthy habits among young people on local and international levels by sharing the results of the project through follow-up activities organized by participants in their own local communities. - to foster international cooperation and partnership building between youth organizations from 6 European countries that work to improve the healthy habits and physical activity of young people. - to promote and educate about Erasmus+ programme and Youthpass as tools to work with young people in the fields of sports, participation and intercultural learning.

Project partners (6)