The European Commission organised the #BeActive EU Sport Awards ceremony on June 23, celebrated in person at Bozar in Brussels, and also streamed live online. The date of the event was very symbolic, celebrating the Olympic and Paralympic Day, marking the start of the European Week of Sport and the #BeActive campaign, and merging two previously separate events - the #BeActive Awards and the #BeInclusive EU Sport Awards.

The opening speech was made by the Director-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture at the European Commission, Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen. She highlighted how the finalists demonstrate what sport can do for communities as part of their mission and local initiatives.

The awards were created to support projects and individuals dedicated to the promotion of sport and physical activity across Europe. From 279 submissions, 15 finalists were narrowed down, and an independent jury selected the most outstanding projects and people, in a highly competitive selection process.

Leading by example, the following awards were attributed across 5 categories:
- Physical Activity category: Municipality of Oeiras (POR), for the Fit Senior programme, which combats isolation among older adults through physical activity.
- Inclusion category: Alpine Association of Slovenia (SLO), for its inPlaninec initiative, making mountain hiking accessible to people with disabilities.
- Volunteering category: United Way Hungary (HUN), for the Flow & Learn programme, integrating sport into education for children with ADHD or learning disabilities.
- Across Generations category: Running Club Marathon 95 Varaždin (CRO), for the Drava Cross League, bringing together participants of all ages through regular running.
- Peace category: New Humanity International Association (ITA), for the Run4Unity initiative, organizing cross-border races where teenagers pass a virtual baton across time zones.

As part of the ceremony, Glenn Micallef as the European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport and Athena Michaelidou as the Cypriot Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, shared insights on the power of sport.

Additionally, Sebastien Bellin, a professional basketball player and survivor of the 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks, delivered an inspiring address about overcoming fear and the true strength that extends beyond sport.

Speeches and awards were also accompanied by a dance sports show, featuring young local performers.

European University Sports Association (EUSA) is an official partner of the European Week of Sport and the #BeActive campaign, and was represented in Brussels by Andrej Pisl, its Director of Projects and Policy. On the occasion of the awards ceremony, he also met with some existing strategic, as well as project partners, and representatives of the European Commission and the Executive Agency EACEA.

For more information about the event, please see https://sport.ec.europa.eu/whats-new/news/meet-the-inspiring-winners-of-beactive-eu-sport-awards