European Project SportsCom

Strengthening Community Sport towards Healthier, More Resilient and Inclusive Communities

The Porto Metropolitan Area (AMP) is the lead entity of the European project SportsCom – Strengthening the effectiveness of COmmunity sports for health resilience in the framework of REgional policies, an initiative co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Europe programme.

The project's mission is to strengthen the role of community sport as a strategic tool for health resilience, social cohesion and sustainable territorial development. Targeted at political decision makers, regional authorities, civil society organisations and citizens, SportsCom promotes the sharing of good practices, the European exchange of experience and the improvement of place-based public policies.

Why SportsCom?

In contemporary Europe, rising sedentary lifestyles, chronic stress and demographic ageing require innovative responses from public administrations. Community sport emerges as an effective resource not only in promoting healthy lifestyles, but also in preventing diseases, reducing loneliness, promoting social inclusion and valuing the intergenerational relationship.

To incorporate community sport into regional policies means to recognise its value as a driver of social change and collective well-being.

Project Objectives

SportsCom aims to:

• Support European policy makers in improving regional and local policies, notably in the fields of health, sport and social inclusion.

• Promote inclusive, sustainable and intergenerational sports activities.

• Contribute to the adoption of healthy lifestyles and to a higher health resilience of communities.

• Reduce pressure on health systems by promoting regular physical activity.

• Stimulate the development of social skills and the integration of vulnerable groups.

Local Action, European Impact

The AMP leads a European consortium of seven partners from Portugal, Belgium, Greece, Poland, Hungary, the Netherlands and Serbia. The project lasts 36 months (May 2025 to July 2028) and is structured in two phases: a phase of exchange and learning between regions and a phase of monitoring and valorisation of results.

At the metropolitan level, the AMP launched the Local Stakeholders Group, involving municipalities, clubs, associations, schools and social agents in the region. This group monitors the implementation of the project, sharing practices and actively contributing to the adaptation of public policies at local level.

Activity Highlights

• Studying and sharing European best practices.

• Technical visits and thematic seminars between regions.

• Regular meetings with local stakeholder groups.

• Production of videos, newsletters and awareness-raising materials.

• Organisation of a high-level political event in Portugal at the end of the project.

Because Sport is More than Just Movement

“Community sport is more than playing a game – it is a path to the collective well-being, inclusion and cohesion of our communities.”
— SportsCom project key message

Follow the Project

📍 Project's official page: https://www.interregeurope.eu/sportscom
📣 Facebook: @sportscomproject
💼 LinkedIn: SportsCom Project
🎥 YouTube: SportsCom-EU