From 12–14 November 2024, Ljubljana, Slovenia, became the epicenter of grassroots sport and health-enhancing physical activity as the Moving People – Moving Europe conference gathered 250 stakeholders from across Europe. Co-hosted by the Sports Union of Slovenia and the National Institute of Public Health, and supported by the European Commission, the event fostered impactful collaborations and sparked innovation in the sector.

Participants began arriving on 11 November, with some attending project meetings scheduled alongside the conference. Monday was dedicated to the Icehearts Europe project meeting, which transitioned into an inspiring roundtable discussion and study visit hosted by the Sports Union of Slovenia next day. Read more about it here.

The main conference day kicked off with a focus on the Human Right to MOVE, highlighted by an inspiring keynote from ISCA President Mogens Kirkeby. ISCA Secretary General Jacob Schouenborg then led a lively panel discussion with experts from five countries, exploring practical strategies to ensure everyone can access and benefit from grassroots sport and physical activity.

Participants then dove into workshops tackling key challenges and opportunities:

• DigiFit: Empowering Grassroots Sport for the Digital Age
  This workshop explored how digital transformation enhances organisational efficiency and resilience, providing practical tools for becoming "change-ready." Learn more here.

• European Grassroots Esports: Building a Values-Driven Community
  Addressing digital responsibility, youth engagement, and community building, this session showcased best practices and innovative approaches. Full recap here.

• Generations United through Movement (GUM)
  This workshop celebrated intergenerational physical activities that foster connections and improve well-being. Dive into the insights here.

The Building Advocacy Skills workshop also stood out as a hands-on session. Participants explored advocacy strategies in grassroots sport, from storytelling to building campaigns, with examples such as ISCA’s HealthyLifestyle4All initiative. Discussions emphasised adapting advocacy to align with political trends and mobilising communities effectively. A dynamic speed-dating session capped off the day, allowing attendees to connect across EU-funded projects, including Icehearts Europe, DigiFit, European Grassroots Esports, Generations Uniting through Movement, Placemaking and Sport, MOVING for Health, and Active Ageing.

Post-conference activities included the ABC for Mental Health workshop, where facilitator Charlotte Bruus Dalsgaard (DGI, Denmark) introduced the Act, Belong, Commit framework as a tool to promote mental well-being through simple actions. Participants discussed integrating these principles into their contexts, with insights on fostering partnerships and involving families to strengthen community connections. Learn more about the ABC framework here and stay tuned for more news about the related project ISCA just kicked off.

Discussions on Placemaking along with the study visit of the local urban area followed, exploring how reimagined urban spaces can inspire active lifestyles through community-driven initiatives. Details can be found here.

This fourth edition of the conference reinforced ISCA’s mission to create healthier, more active communities through collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing. Special thanks to all participants and partners for making the event a success! Mark your calendars for the MOVE Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 29–31 October 2025 at Tivoli. We look forward to seeing you there - and enjoy the video with the conference highlights in the meantime!

Visit ISCA Health for more background information about ISCA’s work in the field of health.