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The Vital Cities Challenge (VCC) project is about equipping cities with the right tools and test innovative, data-driven, approaches to better engage citizens and physical activity, in line with the Council Recommendation on promoting health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) across sectors. We aim to develop new and sustainable ways of enhancing the level of physical activity and improve the health of European citizens through the Vital Cities Challenge project. The challenge will engage users in a team challenge (via the vital city app) where their activity patterns contribute to the overall score for a particular city. By using a combination of engaging gamification techniques and local sports events, we aim to deliver a sustainable and substantial increase in physical activities. Our project pursues the following objectives:

1. Addressing physical inactivity by engaging citizens in sport and physical activity using innovative and engaging approaches.

2. Support cities in designing or reviewing their sport and physical activity strategies.

3. Developing our knowledge and evidence base of data-driven sport policies through a scientific evaluation and a thorough policy review process.

4. Scaling up local initiatives by engaging with a wider community of other cities, regions / at National and European level and governance.

 

Our project is presented by leading partners across Europe presenting a mix of expertise in terms of technological solutions to encourage participation in sports and physical activity (Kinetic Analysis); leading researches on the socio-economic impact of sport (VUB), a unique living lab with unique expertise on public spaces for sport and physical activity (InnoSportLab Sport & Beweeg), and a strong community of cities, with ACES Europe and the four partner cities (Sofia, Trnava, Fuenlabrada and Emmen). To get to know these cities better, check out the Partners page.  

 

Why the Vital Cities Challenge?

To better engage citizens in sport and physical activity by building communities (offline & online) 

To Evaluate impact &

To create benefits for European citizens:  

• Individuals with stronger values 

• More active citizens 

• Improve positive health 

• Increase self-rated happiness 

• Prevent juvenile crimes 

• Social inclusion 

• Increase hours of positive interaction