Mountain Games: A Celebration of Sport, Culture, and Inclusion

ongoing

To be held on Troodos mountain, Cyprus, the Mountain Games (MG) project aims to boost participation in sport-exercise, raise awareness of healthy lifestyles, promote traditional sports and intergenerational activities, improve access and inclusion, and foster cross-sector partnerships for sustainability. Through these objectives, the MG project will serve as a concrete example of the Erasmus+ Sport programme’s vision of “healthy lifestyles for all”. A complete, clear and effective work plan was created to include the following main work-packages: a) Management and planning, b) preparation and capacity building, c) implementation of activities, d) follow up, and e) dissemination. The consortium embraces 11 associated partners from 10 European countries, while the project team has a >15 years track record of successful coordination and participation in international and European projects, displaying well-founded administrative, collaborative and operational skills. A monitoring, evaluation and dissemination system of the project results will ensure attaining the objectives set. The MG project is expected to have a profound personal impact on the individuals who take part – as athletes, volunteers, or trainees. Participants will experience improvements in physical health (better endurance, strength, and overall fitness) and mental health (reduced stress, higher self-esteem) as direct outcomes of training for and engaging in the MG. The project will also impact the wider European community at a societal level through the social inclusion and civic engagement that its outcomes will provide. The MG will also impact institutions, local, national and European associations, offering opportunities for future sustainability activities using the project outcomes and therefore, opportunities for future policies, including the revival of mountainous areas.