As part of the SportsCom project – Enhancing Community Sport Efficiency to Strengthen Health Resilience through Regional Policies, the Second Thematic Seminar and Study Visit, as well as the Third Project Partners Meeting, were held in Krakow on 16–17 June 2026.
The event was hosted by the Krakow Metropolis Association (KMA), which welcomed representatives of regional and local authorities, experts, and project partners from various European regions. The main objective of the meeting was to exchange knowledge and experiences on the role of community sport in strengthening mental health, resilience, and citizens’ quality of life.
The central theme of the seminar focused on the impact of local sports policies on promoting mental health, developing mental resilience, managing emotions and stress, and strengthening social connections through sports activities. During the first day, participants were introduced to examples of good practice from municipalities within the Krakow Metropolitan Area, as well as planned tools designed to support sports instructors in preventing mental health issues and providing first aid in crisis situations.
Participants visited several important sports and recreational facilities, including the stadium, Jordan Park, and Błonia, as well as the facilities of the Krakow School and Sports Centre CENTRUM, where successful models of citizen engagement in sports and recreational programmes were presented.
On the second day, a study visit to the municipality of Wielka Wieś was organised. During the visit, partners were introduced to the Nordic Walking trail, the Wierzchowska Cave, and the project “Micro-expeditions. Krakow Metropolis in 1 Day”, which promotes outdoor activities and a healthy lifestyle.
In addition to the thematic activities, a project partners’ meeting was held to discuss the results achieved so far, upcoming activities, and opportunities for further improvement of regional policies in the fields of sport and health.
The meeting in Krakow provided an important opportunity to strengthen interregional cooperation and identify effective solutions that harness the potential of sport to improve mental health and create healthier and more resilient communities across Europe.
