Strategic priorities of the European Outdoor Sports Network (ENOS).
These priorities were defined and selected by all participants of the EUROMEET group in Silkeborg (Denmark) in September 2022. For each of the 4 axes, 2 priorities were selected and expressed as follows: “Outdoor sports sector…”
Topic One: Green Sport for a Green Europe: Climate Change and Biodiversity
How to balance the use of the natural environment and its protection in the development of outdoor sports? How do you develop a mindset and culture that brings the two together? – where practicality and protection do not conflict? How to develop and enhance the natural environment that supports the practice but also promotes biodiversity from the start?Reduce local impacts
1.1.1 To recommend the improvement of the development of places by giving preference to nature. More natural sites are closer to life places and easily accessible
1.1.2 Contribute to environmental education of decision makers and stakeholders to create a domino effect and reach the general public
Reduce the overall impact
1.2.1 Reduce the overall impact of EU certification by applying it to events and facilities
1.2.2 Creating a network of experts on sustainable development at the service of local or national level actors to help reduce their environmental impacts
Understand the implications
1.3.1 Recommend the development of a European-wide and standardized approach enabling systematic monitoring and reliable indicators
1.3.2 Require a training program for teachers and students in schools to exercise outdoors.
Demand and consumption
1.4.1 Provide an education system that promotes more responsible consumption, including good practices
1.4.2 Partner with industry to jointly find solutions to overuse, end-of-life equipment (support sustainability, repair and recycle)
Transition
1.5.1 Call for evolution towards an ambitious policy based on solid results (set an accelerated deadline: 5 years)
1.5.2 Find the levers and brakes (blockages) for responsible transportation. Counter these by introducing free travel plans or promoting campaigns such as European Outdoor Week.
gamer
1.6.1 Build partnerships and alliances to transfer sustainable development knowledge from climate and biodiversity experts to outdoor activity associations and practitioners
Second theme: Be active, be outdoors. Increase experience
What activities work? What is the evidence? How could practitioners want to develop new activities that encourage people to change their behavior based on existing knowledge? How to effectively communicate with new targets? How to achieve these? How to make communication interesting and modern while being outside – in nature? How do we effectively organize our activities at the local level, in sports clubs, municipalities, sports federations, national government institutions?Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
2.1.1 Provide specific outdoor sports communication to reach different social groups (different messages and formats for different targets)
2.1.2 Offer and clearly communicate activities adapted to the needs and abilities of different groups with special needs
Gender equality
2.2.1 Use scientific research and findings to better understand cultural and social barriers to outdoor sports
2.2.2 Engage and empower more women across the sector in roles from coaches to managers
Aging in action
2.3.1 Changing the image of outdoor activities – It’s for everyone!
2.3.2 To promote outdoor sports as a means of intergenerational communication
Childhood and youth
2.4.1 Ask policy makers to consider tools and frameworks to facilitate the inclusion of outdoor activities in the education system
2.4.2 Integrate outdoor sports into the curriculum for teachers and create more opportunities to be outdoors, for example “School in Nature”
Sports for all
2.5.1 Train supervisors and actors in the skills, knowledge and behaviors that enable outdoor sports for all
2.5.2 Collaborate with and engage other sectors to promote a more comprehensive approach to inclusion and strengthen their role in this end
Urbanization
2.6.1 Persuading local authorities and the private sector to provide green space
2.6.2 Encouraging citizens/users to demand green spaces and participate in decision-making (co-creation, co-design, co-production)
Topic three: The power of outdoor exercise to improve health
How to define new rules for integrating outdoor and nature sports into public health? Where to find inspiration? Which projects positively impact key public health goals? How can we replicate them in our local context? How can we move from goals, policies and strategies to concrete projects and action that transforms the lines? How do we engage our communities in this transformation of prosperity for all? How to get help from the commercial and association sector? How to secure funding for this sensitive topic?Mental health and well-being
3.1.1 Advocate for the recognition of mental health improvement. Promote understanding of practices and practitioner access to training
3.1.2 Campaign for commitment to include outdoor activities for schools/education sector
Benefits
3.2.1 Take the initiative to present priorities for change to policy makers (based on key findings)
3.2.2 Articulating the economic impact of sport (valuation of financial / social or wider benefits)
Inclusion
3.3.1 Defend the “natural right of all” at the political and legislative level
3.3.2 Make progress in engaging vulnerable audiences in co-creation to develop outdoor sport opportunities
Cooperation
3.4.1 Share good collaborative practices between the sectors involved in outdoor sports using open and comprehensible discourse
3.4.2 Provide and share information (especially financial value) to better understand the importance and relevance of the outdoor sports sector to other sectors
Improving health through physical activity / Nature’s recipe
3.5.1 Making good research available to management and policy makers in the health sector
3.5.2 Advocate for better funding of outdoor facilities (trails, saunas, etc.) to change structures and enhance experience
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