Everyone should have the opportunity to be active outdoors. Making that possible takes more than an invitation.
Today marks the start of the 2026 European Week of Sport. Running from 23–30 September, the campaign encourages people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to #BeActive. For the It’s Great Out There Coalition (IGOT), it is a reminder of why our work matters throughout the year.
Since our foundation and the launch of the #itsgreatoutthere campaign, evidence has informed our mission to get Europe active outdoors. We believe the outdoors has a vital role to play in helping more people build movement into their lives, connect with nature and experience the benefits of being active.
But encouragement alone is not enough. People need opportunities they can access, places where they feel welcome and support to take that first step.
A first step that can lead to more
A local walk, a day in the woods or a supported introduction to an outdoor activity can be the beginning of something lasting.
For some people, that opportunity is close to home. For others, cost, transport, inaccessible spaces or a lack of confidence can stand in the way. Racism, ableism and the feeling that the outdoors is “for someone else” create further barriers.
Our role is to help turn the invitation to get outdoors into a real opportunity to participate. We want more people to experience an active day in nature, feel that they belong and have the confidence to return.
Grassroots action, shared impact
We developed our Outdoor Activity Days model and #itsgreatoutthere grant scheme to support grassroots organisations delivering those opportunities across Europe.
With the support of our members, this work has helped thousands of people get active in nature. Behind every Outdoor Activity Day is a person, a community and an opportunity that might otherwise have been out of reach.
That work is strengthened by collaboration. Our colleagues at Opening Up The Outdoors are confronting racism and ableism and helping make outdoor participation more welcoming and inclusive. Alongside our friends at the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA), we champion responsible participation and the protection of the natural places that make these experiences possible.
Access, inclusion and conservation all matter. Getting more people outdoors carries a shared responsibility to care for both the people taking part and the places they visit.
Part of a healthier, more active Europe
Outdoor Activity Days are designed around clear criteria aligned with the World Health Organization’s guidelines on physical activity. This connects grassroots outdoor participation with wider efforts to support health and wellbeing through regular movement.
An active day outdoors can be a starting point. The longer-term ambition is to help people find movement they enjoy and can continue, with the support and opportunities they need.
This European Week of Sport, we are calling on the outdoor sector to keep turning encouragement into action. Support grassroots organisations. Help remove barriers. Create opportunities for people who have too often been left out.
The campaign lasts a week. Our commitment continues throughout the year.
Get Europe active outdoors. One Outdoor Activity Day at a time.