The goal of the Youth Sports Academy project was to support young people with fewer opportunities from rural areas of Poland and Latvia by promoting a healthy lifestyle, strengthening social competences, and increasing their sense of agency. We wanted to raise awareness among young people about the importance of physical and mental health in everyday life and motivate them to engage in health-promoting behaviours. The project also aimed to foster international cooperation, mutual understanding, and openness to other cultures. An essential part of the project was to create a safe space where participants could reflect on what health means to them, how their daily life looks, and what obstacles they face in taking care of themselves. Specific objectives included developing social skills such as communication, teamwork, independence, and stress management. The project was based on youth participation – from preparation and implementation to creating final outcomes.