S16 National initiatives and cross-country collaboration for HEPA promotion: showcasing experiences of the EU Physical Activity Country Focal Points Network

TL;DR

This paper discusses how the EU Physical Activity Country Focal Points Network promotes health-enhancing physical activity through collaboration and shared strategies among EU countries.

Contribution

The paper showcases the Network's role in fostering cross-country collaboration and aligning research with policy for HEPA promotion.

Findings

The Network has enabled EU countries to share best practices and collaborate on HEPA projects.

The symposium will provide a platform for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to align research with national priorities.

The initiative aims to identify new opportunities for HEPA promotion and future research areas.

Abstract

The promotion of health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) within the European Union (EU) requires innovative strategies that can be developed through collaboration across Member States and with strong alignment between research and policy. The EU Physical Activity Country Focal Points Network has been pivotal in fostering such collaborations since its establishment in 2014. The Network has enabled Member States to share best practices, collaborate on projects, and enhance their national HEPA promotion strategies by disseminating the latest research. This symposium will highlight national good practice examples and include a ‘marketplace’ where each country focal point will be available to discuss their national priorities for HEPA promotion with researchers. The symposium will aim to provide a forum to support collaboration between HEPA practitioners, policy makers and researchers, to improve alignment of research with country priorities and identify new opportunities for HEPA promotion and future research areas.