Apply Now: BeActive Sport Awards 2026 – Across Generations

The #BeActive EU Sport Awards – Across Generations 2026 recognize organizations that use sport and physical activity to bring together people of different age groups, strengthen intergenerational connections, and build more inclusive communities across Europe. The award provides €25,000 to outstanding initiatives that promote lifelong participation in sport and encourage collaboration between generations.

#BeActive EU Sport Awards – Across Generations 2026

The #BeActive EU Sport Awards – Across Generations 2026 celebrate organizations and stakeholders that successfully promote intergenerational participation in sport and physical activity across Europe.

The Across Generations category recognizes initiatives that connect children, young people, adults, and older generations through sport while fostering inclusion, mutual understanding, healthy lifestyles, and stronger communities. The award forms part of the European Union’s #BeActive campaign, which encourages active living and social cohesion through sport.

Overview

The #BeActive EU Sport Awards – Across Generations recognize innovative sport initiatives that create meaningful interactions between different age groups.

The award supports projects that:

• Promote intergenerational participation through sport.
• Encourage healthy and active lifestyles.
• Build stronger and more connected communities.
• Improve access to sport for people of all ages.
• Foster social inclusion and equal participation.
• Encourage dialogue and understanding between generations.
• Promote lifelong engagement in physical activity.
• Support sustainable community development.

Purpose of the Awards

The programme aims to:

• Recognize outstanding intergenerational sport initiatives.
• Promote lifelong participation in physical activity.
• Encourage collaboration between different age groups.
• Strengthen community engagement.
• Improve social inclusion through sport.
• Support healthier communities.
• Encourage equal opportunities in sport participation.
• Showcase successful projects that inspire others across Europe.

Focus Areas

The Across Generations category supports initiatives related to:

• Intergenerational sport
• Physical activity for all ages
• Healthy ageing
• Community engagement
• Social inclusion
• Lifelong participation in sport
• Inter-generational dialogue
• Equal access to sport
• Community wellbeing
• Active lifestyles
• Volunteer engagement
• Stronger local communities
• Future generations and sustainable participation

Funding Information

Successful applicants receive:

• Award prize of €25,000
• European-level recognition
• Increased visibility for their initiative
• Opportunities to share best practices
• Recognition for promoting intergenerational participation through sport

Award Benefits

Winning the #BeActive EU Sport Awards – Across Generations provides:

• €25,000 financial award
• Recognition by the European Union
• Increased international visibility
• Enhanced organizational credibility
• Opportunities to promote successful community programmes
• Networking with European sport organizations
• Recognition as a best practice example in intergenerational sport

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include legal entities established in eligible countries.

Applicants may include:

• Sports organizations
• Non-profit organizations
• Community organizations
• Educational institutions
• Public organizations
• Private organizations
• Local authorities
• International organizations
• Public agencies
• Other legally established entities

Applicants must be established in:

• EU Member States
• Overseas Countries and Territories
• Non-EU countries associated with the Erasmus+ Programme
• Countries currently negotiating association with Erasmus+

Eligible Initiatives

Projects should demonstrate successful intergenerational engagement through sport.

Examples include initiatives that:

• Bring together children, youth, adults, and older people through sport.
• Promote lifelong participation in physical activity.
• Improve access to sport for multiple generations.
• Encourage mentoring through sport.
• Strengthen family and community participation.
• Promote healthy ageing.
• Foster understanding between generations.
• Address social isolation through physical activity.
• Encourage inclusive community sport programmes.
• Build sustainable community partnerships.

How the Award Process Works (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Verify that your organization is a legal entity established in an eligible country.

Step 2: Review Award Objectives

Ensure your project promotes intergenerational participation, inclusion, and community engagement through sport.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application

Gather documentation describing:

• Project objectives
• Activities
• Target participants
• Community impact
• Evidence of outcomes
• Innovation
• Sustainability

Step 4: Submit the Application

Complete the application before the official deadline and provide all required supporting information.

Step 5: Evaluation

Applications are assessed based on:

• Relevance to intergenerational participation
• Innovation
• Community impact
• Inclusion
• Sustainability
• Quality of implementation

Step 6: Award Selection

Outstanding initiatives are selected and recognized under the #BeActive EU Sport Awards – Across Generations 2026.

Why It Matters

Sport provides opportunities for people of different generations to connect, learn from one another, and build stronger communities.

The #BeActive EU Sport Awards – Across Generations help:

• Promote healthy ageing.
• Encourage lifelong physical activity.
• Reduce social isolation.
• Strengthen family and community relationships.
• Increase social inclusion.
• Build stronger local communities.
• Foster mutual respect and understanding between generations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to demonstrate intergenerational participation.
• Providing insufficient evidence of community impact.
• Focusing only on competitive sport rather than inclusion.
• Submitting incomplete application materials.
• Ignoring long-term sustainability.
• Not explaining measurable outcomes.
• Missing eligibility requirements.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly explain how different generations participate together.
• Demonstrate measurable community benefits.
• Include evidence of participant engagement.
• Highlight innovative programme design.
• Show long-term sustainability.
• Include testimonials, data, or case studies.
• Emphasize inclusion and accessibility.
• Align your project with the award objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the #BeActive EU Sport Awards – Across Generations?

It is a European Union award recognizing organizations that use sport and physical activity to strengthen connections between different generations and promote inclusive communities.

2. What is the award prize?

The selected initiative receives €25,000.

3. Who can apply?

Legal entities such as sports organizations, community organizations, educational institutions, public bodies, private organizations, and international organizations established in eligible countries.

4. What types of projects are eligible?

Projects that promote intergenerational participation, lifelong physical activity, social inclusion, and stronger communities through sport.

5. Which countries are eligible?

Applicants must be established in EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories, Erasmus+ associated countries, or countries currently negotiating association with the programme.

6. What do evaluators look for?

Applications are assessed based on innovation, inclusion, community impact, sustainability, quality of implementation, and contribution to intergenerational engagement.

7. Why are these awards important?

The awards recognize initiatives that use sport to connect generations, improve community wellbeing, encourage lifelong participation in physical activity, and create stronger, more inclusive societies.

Conclusion

The #BeActive EU Sport Awards – Across Generations 2026 celebrate organizations that use sport to unite people of all ages and strengthen communities across Europe. By recognizing innovative intergenerational initiatives with €25,000 and European-level recognition, the awards promote lifelong participation in physical activity, social inclusion, and lasting community connections that benefit both present and future generations.