For the first time in Brussels, WAC certified companies

It’s official! The 13  first companies were proud to announce that they have passed the “Workplace Active Certification” (WAC) process and audit.

Corinth Canal, Designous, Generali Zavarovalnica D.D, Harmonie Mutuelle, Sport UNion of Slovenia, Ixelles, Mater Dei Hospital, Roullier, SIJ, SKB, Sportcamp, Tourix and Veolia Europe have been awarded the WAC certificate!

The Workplace Active Certification (WAC) is a European project led by the European Federation for Company Sport (EFCS). The project was collaboration and support by 9 international partners. Co- funded by the European Commission Erasmus + Programme , the WAC certification is aimed at European organizations – whatever their size - which actively promote health and well-being at work through physical activity.And which wish to have their initiatives and best practices recognized by a panel of experts.

To become WAC certified, we underwent a thorough evaluation process that included the completion of a questionnaire. An evaluation criteria list and a full assessment review by the WAC evaluation experts and audit team.

Throughout the evaluation process, they have developed and implemented a workout plan which has enabled them to improve not only their physical activity performance. But their overall productivity and to maintain a high level of quality in everything they do.

Their decision to work towards the WAC certificate not only demonstrates that physical activity is a priority for them. But also their commitment to investing in their employees’ life balance and health. Moreover, it is proven that a more active life in the workplace can lead to a 7% rise in productivity and 27% decrease in sick leave.

Check our video!

For more information about the WAC project, please check here www.activeworkplacecertification.eu

As part of the third international Sports Club for Health (SCforH) project entitled “Creating mechanisms for continuous implementation of the Sports Club for Health guidelines in the European Union”, a working group led by Professor Sylvia Titze, Karl-Franzens University of Graz and Réka Veress, Hungarian School, University and Leisure Sport Federation organised three international symposia to increase the awareness of the SCforH approach among various stakeholders in the European sports sector.

The first symposium, held in November 2021 and intended for the representatives of sports clubs and associations, was attended by 116 participants. The second symposium, held in May 2022 and intended for various current and future (e.g. students enrolled in related courses) stakeholders in the sports sector, was attended by 76 participants. A total of eight experts in the field of sport and physical activity promotion contributed to the symposia with their presentations on the SCforH approach and related examples of good practice.

The third symposium entitled “Sports Club for Health (SCforH) approach: evidence on importance and examples of implementation activities” will be held as part of the 11th Conference of HEPA Europe, in Nice (France). The conference is scheduled for 31st Aug – 2nd Sep, 2022. The symposium will include presentations on: [i] the findings of an updated systematic review on health benefits of different sport disciplines; [ii] Hungarian implementation of a SCforH intervention; [iii] the effectiveness of a coordinated action between the healthcare sector and local sports clubs to promote physical activity; [iv]; tracking participants in Jackpot.fit program—an Austrian sport promotion initiative; and [v] the development of a SCforH online learning tool. The registration for the HEPA Europe conference is now open.

The organisation of the three symposia has been generously supported and co-funded by the European Commission, Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) through an Erasmus+ Collaborative partnerships grant. The latest information about the SCforH project and symposia can be found on the SCforH website and twitter profile.

Join us in the mission to improve the availability and quality of health-enhancing sports activities in Europe.

A screenshot from the SCforH symposium held in November 2021

A screenshot from the SCforH symposium held in May 2022

The project Creating Mechanisms for Continuous Implementation of the Sports Club for Health Guidelines in the European Union is funded by a European Union Erasmus+ Collaborative Partnerships grant of 398.845 Euro, and it includes 17 partner institutions from 13 countries. The overarching aim of the project is to increase participation in sport and physical activity in the European Union by encouraging sports clubs and associations to implement Sport Clubs for Health principles in their activities.

The international project team has developed an interactive online course with practical recommendations that may help you improve the availability and quality of health-enhancing sports activities within your sports club, sports association, or community. The course is free of charge and available in 25 languages. Since its launch nine months ago, the course was attended by nearly 2000 participants from across Europe.

Practical recommendations for adopting and using the Sports Club for Health approach have recently been summarised in a textbook. Last November, the project team also organised a symposium for sports clubs and associations that was attended by 116 participants.

Currently under development are: (1) Sports Club for Health Country Cards, with data on the current state of health-enhancing sports promotion in 36 European countries; (2) a database of European Sports Club for Health initiatives; and (3) a new symposium. Watch this space…

More information about the Sports Club for Health project can be found on www.scforh.org and on the twitter account @SCforH.

Screenshot from the Sports Club for Health project team meeting held on the 6^th of April, 2022

The magazine of the French Federation for Company Sport is available below:

https://www.efcs.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/SE-142.pdf

In this special Europe edition, the following topics will be covered:
Arnhemen games in the spotlight
European events
The return of the National Company Sport Games in Tours

As validated during the last General Assembly in Palma de Mallorca, the process for applications is opened to every EFCS member and city who would like to host the 2027 European Company Sport Games.

The deadline for application and sending letter of intent from the federation and the city is February 15th, 2022.

Who will be the next city to host the Games after Arnhem this year, Bordeaux in 2023 and Calvia in 2025 ?
More information companysport@efcs.org