Championing Active Lifestyles: Winners of the 2023 #BeActive Awards

The 2023 #BeActive Awards has recently announced the recipients of the winning projects in Spain, Austria, Bulgaria, and Portugal. These prestigious awards are designed to provide support to initiatives that promote a healthy and active lifestyle. Iliana Ivanova, the Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, officially unveiled the winners of the ninth edition of the #BeActive Awards. These awards are dedicated to the promotion of sport and physical activity across Europe. A total of twelve finalists vied for the top prize in four categories: education, workplace, local hero, and across generations.

Spain’s Patronat Municipal de Serveis d’Atencio a les Persones de Martorell emerged as the recipient of the #BeActive Education Award for its commendable project aimed at addressing inequalities in the education system and promoting educational success, equity, and social cohesion. Meanwhile, Austria’s Eversports clinched the #BeActive Workplace Award for its unwavering commitment to supporting an active lifestyle and creating opportunities for its employees. The winner of the #BeActive Local Hero Award is Kalin Vasilev from Bulgaria, whose volunteer and community-based project has inspired and led thousands of Bulgarians towards a healthier and more active lifestyle. Lastly, Portugal’s Municipo de Vila Nova de Cerveira secured the #BeActive Across Generations Award for its efforts in encouraging and motivating citizens, particularly the elderly community, to adopt healthy lifestyles.

In a statement, Commissioner Ivanova emphasized the crucial role of sport and physical activity in promoting physical and mental well-being, as well as values such as unity, respect, and inclusion in our communities. She commended all the projects, both winners and finalists, for their outstanding work and unwavering enthusiasm in promoting a healthy, active, and inclusive lifestyle for citizens. She expressed hope that their commitment would serve as an inspiration for many more exemplary initiatives.

The four winners each received a grant of €10,000, while each finalist was awarded €2,500. This financial support will enable them to further their sport-value based projects and continue their innovative and impactful work. The #BeActive Awards are an integral part of the annual European Week of Sport, an initiative aimed at promoting sport and physical activity across Europe, and encouraging citizens to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle.