The Regional Development Agency Bačka hosted a study visit, a thematic seminar and a Technical Committee meeting within the project “Improving the Effectiveness of Community Sport to Strengthen Health Resilience within Regional Policies – SportsCom”, held on 27 and 28 October 2026 in Novi Sad. The thematic seminar focused on “Creating an Enabling Environment for Community Sport – How Local Policies, Public Spaces and Partnerships Create Conditions for Healthier and More Active Communities”.
The two-day event brought together project partners from European countries and representatives of local institutions and organisations to exchange experiences and examples of good practice in developing community sport.
The first day focused on creating conditions for more accessible sport through local policies, public spaces and partnerships. Following opening remarks by representatives of RDA Bačka and the lead partner from Portugal, examples of good practice from Portugal, Greece and Poland were presented. Particular attention was paid to involving different social groups in sporting activities, linking sport and health, and the importance of accessible sports infrastructure.
Novi Sad’s experience was also presented, with a focus on local policies and public spaces that enable residents to engage in recreation and physical activity free of charge. Later in the day, a visit to Štrand was organised, where participants learned about the available sports facilities and the work of the Štrand Pétanque Club, with an opportunity to try the sport themselves. The study visit also included a tour of the recreational infrastructure along the Danube Quay, including running and cycling paths, sports courts and outdoor exercise areas.
On the second day, participants were addressed by Tatjana Medved, Member of the Novi Sad City Council responsible for Sport and Youth, who welcomed those present and presented examples of good practice from Novi Sad, highlighting the importance of local initiatives and accessible sports facilities for residents’ health and quality of life. Her address was followed by presentations of good practices from the Netherlands and Hungary, after which the project’s Technical Committee meeting took place.
During the meeting, partners reviewed the results achieved so far, communication and promotional activities, the exchange of good practices, opportunities to improve regional policies and the next steps in project implementation. Particular attention was paid to preparing pilot activities, including the presentation of a joint proposal by partners from Portugal and the Netherlands aimed at connecting sporting activities with health and social services.
Later on the second day, participants also visited Limanski Park, another example of a public space offering various forms of recreation and physical activity.
The two-day event provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience, strengthen cooperation among partners and learn about approaches that help make sport and recreation more accessible to all residents.
The SportsCom project is implemented under the Interreg Europe programme.
